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Bring Her Home
In the breathtaking new thriller from David Bell, bestselling author of Since She Went Away and Somebody I Used to Know, the fate of two missing teenage girls becomes a father's worst nightmare....
Just a year and a half after the tragic death of his wife, Bill Price's fifteen-year-old daughter, Summer, and her best friend, Haley, disappear. Days later, the girls are found in a city park. Haley is dead at the scene, while Summer is left beaten beyond recognition and clinging to life.
As Bill holds vigil over Summer's bandaged body, the only sound the unconscious girl can make is one cryptic and chilling word: No. And the more time Bill spends with Summer, the more he wonders what happened to her. Or if the injured girl in the hospital bed is really his daughter at all.
When troubling new questions about Summer's life surface, Bill is not prepared for the aftershocks. He'll soon discover that both the living and the dead have secrets. And that searching for the truth will tear open old wounds that pierce straight to the heart of his family...
READERS GUIDE INCLUDED
Just a year and a half after the tragic death of his wife, Bill Price's fifteen-year-old daughter, Summer, and her best friend, Haley, disappear. Days later, the girls are found in a city park. Haley is dead at the scene, while Summer is left beaten beyond recognition and clinging to life.
As Bill holds vigil over Summer's bandaged body, the only sound the unconscious girl can make is one cryptic and chilling word: No. And the more time Bill spends with Summer, the more he wonders what happened to her. Or if the injured girl in the hospital bed is really his daughter at all.
When troubling new questions about Summer's life surface, Bill is not prepared for the aftershocks. He'll soon discover that both the living and the dead have secrets. And that searching for the truth will tear open old wounds that pierce straight to the heart of his family...
READERS GUIDE INCLUDED
Audio CD
First published July 11, 2017
About the author
David Bell
31 books2,041 followersDavid Bell is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning suspense novelist. His most recent thriller from Berkley/Penguin is KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS. His previous novels include THE REQUEST, LAYOVER, SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER, BRING HER HOME, SINCE SHE WENT AWAY, SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW, THE FORGOTTEN GIRL, NEVER COME BACK, THE HIDING PLACE, and CEMETERY GIRL. He is currently a Professor of English at Western Kentucky University and can be reached via his website at www.davidbellnovels.com, on Twitter at Twitter.com/davidbellnovels, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/davidbellnovels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 813 reviews
July 6, 2017
Once again I’ve found myself on the receiving end of the dramatic David Bell hangover; I’ve reached the point of being caught up on all of his books and am sadly waiting until the next one arrives. There are very few authors that I follow long term; I usually burn out after 3-5 books, especially if it’s a series, because there are so many new, shiny novels clamoring for my attention and a majority of authors become stale in their writing due to the pressure to keep pumping out books. Bell is one of the few authors that I have followed for more than 3 or 4 books and continuously kept on my auto-click list. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy this go around, and I’ve got to say, this one vies for the coveted “favorite to date” of his novels (tied with Somebody I Used to Know). I’ve seen reviews on both sides of the spectrum so far, so let me tell you WHY I loved this book and maybe it can help in deciding if it’s the right book for you.
–The Characterization: One of my favorite aspects of a David Bell novel is the characters, as they really are the focal point of each story. This book, like his others, aren’t your high action, plot driven stories; I’d like to think of them as the type of books you read to get lost in because you feel a part of the story alongside the characters. Sure, there is the slow building suspense that about drives you mad until nearing the end you think “DEAR GOD MAN, JUST TELL US WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!“, and this definitely keeps me hooked throughout, but I think the realness of the characters and how well we get to know them is what makes me care about what happens in the book. From beginning to end, we meet a myriad of people who drive the story onward with their personal drama, some of which is used as red herrings and some which pertains to the actual mysteries at hand.
–The Plot: I’ll be honest, once you’ve read about 1,000 books in your lifetime and at least half of those are of the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller variety, it gets difficult to find books that shock you with their twists. It doesn’t make them unable to be enjoyed, it simply takes away that shock value that used to seem so frequent in your reads. It could be that I’m just losing my detective skills, but this is the first book in a long while where I didn’t have it all completely solved before the reveal. In fact, aside from a few minor aspects, I had none of it figured out. I love the way this book was written, because there were just enough characters to keep you guessing the “who” and “why” of each piece of the mystery, but not so many that you felt lost and confused and wanted to throw the book at your husband’s face. <— Not that I’ve ever felt that way. Nope. Not me. Instead of this book containing the ever-popular SUPER ULTRA MEGA BIG ONE MAJOR TWIST, the author chose to take a much more preferred route and slip bunches of them all over the place. I buddy read this book with Sam of Clues and Reviews and we kept messaging each other over a few days going “GASP! OH NO HE DIDN’T!” because we both couldn’t believe the…things… that happened. Just read it for yourself!
–The Cover: Come on I had to say it; that cover is gorgeous! We all know I’m THAT shallow… A gorgeous cover is a must for me and this one is a 5/5 stars!
I’ve said it before, but it’s completely true that, when life is throwing me curveballs and I’m having trouble focusing on most books, I reach for a David Bell. I save these for precisely the right moment and, to this day, not one of his books has ever let me down. When you find an author who writes something that you connect with on a level much deeper than the surface, you follow their work for as long as it’s published. With quality books like Bring Her Home still coming, I feel I have nothing to worry about as I’ll be seeing more from Bell for years to come. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy mysteries with a traditional feel and thorough characterization; the subtle suspense grows into full blown desperation as you need to find out just what happened surrounding these girls’ disappearance.
*Many thanks to the author for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to provide my honest thoughts here.
–The Characterization: One of my favorite aspects of a David Bell novel is the characters, as they really are the focal point of each story. This book, like his others, aren’t your high action, plot driven stories; I’d like to think of them as the type of books you read to get lost in because you feel a part of the story alongside the characters. Sure, there is the slow building suspense that about drives you mad until nearing the end you think “DEAR GOD MAN, JUST TELL US WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!“, and this definitely keeps me hooked throughout, but I think the realness of the characters and how well we get to know them is what makes me care about what happens in the book. From beginning to end, we meet a myriad of people who drive the story onward with their personal drama, some of which is used as red herrings and some which pertains to the actual mysteries at hand.
–The Plot: I’ll be honest, once you’ve read about 1,000 books in your lifetime and at least half of those are of the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller variety, it gets difficult to find books that shock you with their twists. It doesn’t make them unable to be enjoyed, it simply takes away that shock value that used to seem so frequent in your reads. It could be that I’m just losing my detective skills, but this is the first book in a long while where I didn’t have it all completely solved before the reveal. In fact, aside from a few minor aspects, I had none of it figured out. I love the way this book was written, because there were just enough characters to keep you guessing the “who” and “why” of each piece of the mystery, but not so many that you felt lost and confused and wanted to throw the book at your husband’s face. <— Not that I’ve ever felt that way. Nope. Not me. Instead of this book containing the ever-popular SUPER ULTRA MEGA BIG ONE MAJOR TWIST, the author chose to take a much more preferred route and slip bunches of them all over the place. I buddy read this book with Sam of Clues and Reviews and we kept messaging each other over a few days going “GASP! OH NO HE DIDN’T!” because we both couldn’t believe the…things… that happened. Just read it for yourself!
–The Cover: Come on I had to say it; that cover is gorgeous! We all know I’m THAT shallow… A gorgeous cover is a must for me and this one is a 5/5 stars!
I’ve said it before, but it’s completely true that, when life is throwing me curveballs and I’m having trouble focusing on most books, I reach for a David Bell. I save these for precisely the right moment and, to this day, not one of his books has ever let me down. When you find an author who writes something that you connect with on a level much deeper than the surface, you follow their work for as long as it’s published. With quality books like Bring Her Home still coming, I feel I have nothing to worry about as I’ll be seeing more from Bell for years to come. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy mysteries with a traditional feel and thorough characterization; the subtle suspense grows into full blown desperation as you need to find out just what happened surrounding these girls’ disappearance.
*Many thanks to the author for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to provide my honest thoughts here.
July 14, 2017
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
4.5 Stars!!
I read the description for this book and I knew it was a book that I had to read. I was positive I was going to enjoy it. I'm really happy to say that "Bring Her Home" did not let me down.
The book opens with a father charging into an emergency room looking for his daughter. Bill Price had received the call that no father wants to get....
"She's here. Somewhere. She's here"
The emergency room is packed and he has no idea where to go. No one will answer him. He wonders if he'll have to make a scene to get noticed. Finally he gets the attention of a stressed-out nurse...
"My daughter is here. Summer Price. Summer Price is my daughter"
She recognizes the name and calls someone. Finally someone comes out to see him. It's someone who Bill knows very well...Detective Hawkins. He thinks the detective is taking him to see his daughter but instead takes him into a family room. Bill has been in one of these rooms before...only a year and a half ago. It's a room that usually means bad news.
He asks the detective where Summer is, but doesn't get an answer.
"Where is she? Just tell me something"
He's terrified but starting to get angry. Finally the detective answers him.
"She's alive, Bill. But we should talk inside"
Summer and her best friend Haley left the house a few days earlier and hadn't been seen since. Finally they were found in a local park after an anonymous call to police. Haley was found dead at the scene. Summer was alive but barely.
The detective warns Bill to brace himself before seeing Summer. She has been badly beaten. She is unconscious and nearly unrecognizable with amount of damage done to her head and face. Bill just wants to be with his daughter. He realizes how easily it could have been him mourning the death of his daughter like Haley's parents are. Although she has a long road to recovery, He knows he's lucky that she's alive.
Why would anyone do this to two young girls? What could Haley and Summer have gotten mixed up in?
Utterly gripping and tense, I hated putting this book down. I was hooked. If life hadn't gotten in the way, I could easily have read this in one or two sittings.
The author has a wonderful way of creating suspense and hitting the reader with a twist when they least expect it. The first twist, sent me reeling. Just when I thought I recovered from that, another one was soon to follow. The entire book was like that. So many twists and turns with an excellent plot that kept me gripped and excited to see what was going to happen next. I may have guessed a couple of things before they happened, but even then I was still enjoying how everything played out.
David Bell knows how to write a story that keeps you on your toes, ratcheting up the suspense making it very difficult to put the book down. I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you, Berkley Books and David Bell for providing an advanced readers copy of this book for me to read in exchange for my honest review.
4.5 Stars!!
I read the description for this book and I knew it was a book that I had to read. I was positive I was going to enjoy it. I'm really happy to say that "Bring Her Home" did not let me down.
The book opens with a father charging into an emergency room looking for his daughter. Bill Price had received the call that no father wants to get....
"She's here. Somewhere. She's here"
The emergency room is packed and he has no idea where to go. No one will answer him. He wonders if he'll have to make a scene to get noticed. Finally he gets the attention of a stressed-out nurse...
"My daughter is here. Summer Price. Summer Price is my daughter"
She recognizes the name and calls someone. Finally someone comes out to see him. It's someone who Bill knows very well...Detective Hawkins. He thinks the detective is taking him to see his daughter but instead takes him into a family room. Bill has been in one of these rooms before...only a year and a half ago. It's a room that usually means bad news.
He asks the detective where Summer is, but doesn't get an answer.
"Where is she? Just tell me something"
He's terrified but starting to get angry. Finally the detective answers him.
"She's alive, Bill. But we should talk inside"
Summer and her best friend Haley left the house a few days earlier and hadn't been seen since. Finally they were found in a local park after an anonymous call to police. Haley was found dead at the scene. Summer was alive but barely.
The detective warns Bill to brace himself before seeing Summer. She has been badly beaten. She is unconscious and nearly unrecognizable with amount of damage done to her head and face. Bill just wants to be with his daughter. He realizes how easily it could have been him mourning the death of his daughter like Haley's parents are. Although she has a long road to recovery, He knows he's lucky that she's alive.
Why would anyone do this to two young girls? What could Haley and Summer have gotten mixed up in?
Utterly gripping and tense, I hated putting this book down. I was hooked. If life hadn't gotten in the way, I could easily have read this in one or two sittings.
The author has a wonderful way of creating suspense and hitting the reader with a twist when they least expect it. The first twist, sent me reeling. Just when I thought I recovered from that, another one was soon to follow. The entire book was like that. So many twists and turns with an excellent plot that kept me gripped and excited to see what was going to happen next. I may have guessed a couple of things before they happened, but even then I was still enjoying how everything played out.
David Bell knows how to write a story that keeps you on your toes, ratcheting up the suspense making it very difficult to put the book down. I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you, Berkley Books and David Bell for providing an advanced readers copy of this book for me to read in exchange for my honest review.
July 15, 2017
I’m a reader that often balks at the old adage—don’t judge a book by its cover—and maybe I need to stop doing that in all instances. After seeing this gorgeous cover and having enjoyed two of David Bell’s previous novels, I wrongly assumed I was settling in for an entertaining read. Nope. Not even close.
Errors aside, which I hope for the sake of the author and the readers who purchase this book are corrected during the final editing process, this was a repetitive and overly-dramatized story of a girl that went missing and a father desperate to find those responsible.
When the story opens, Bill is sitting by his daughter Summer’s bedside, hoping against hope that she’ll open her eyes. Badly beaten and unconscious, she went missing two days earlier and turned up in a crime infested park, alongside her best friend who was dead. Sounds intriguing, right? Who could blame a dad for wanting to pinpoint the culprits and make them pay?
Turns out, Bill was one of my biggest issues with this story. Not only was he nonsensical and prone to flying off the handle at the most inopportune times, but his dialogue throughout the entire story was incredibly awkward and stilted. The conversations all of these characters shared lacked a natural ease. The overly dramatic tone wasn’t helping the situation any either. Add in the fact that Bill’s inner monologues were repetitive and he continuously regurgitated the same information to just about everyone he came in contact with and I was one unhappy reader.
My discontent was only further fueled by the “twist” that was thrown in prior to the start of Part II. I refuse to say anything further because I don’t want to risk ruining the story for anyone else, but it wasn't anything that I found to be exciting or plausible. In fact, I might have even rolled my eyes. David Bell put up a valiant effort—stringing the reader along with twists here and there—but it lacked heart and development. It felt like he took the easy way out one too many times.
If I haven’t complained enough already, let me throw in this last little tidbit—the author used the same plot device throughout the ENTIRE storyline and it started with these words, “I need to talk to you . . . ” I don’t think I've ever come across a cast of characters that so readily offered up their secrets and crimes as this one.
Overall, this was pretty much a complete miss for me, which I have to say, caught me off guard. Only time will tell if I’ll give this author another chance. Who knows, maybe he’ll suck me in with another pretty cover.
*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Errors aside, which I hope for the sake of the author and the readers who purchase this book are corrected during the final editing process, this was a repetitive and overly-dramatized story of a girl that went missing and a father desperate to find those responsible.
When the story opens, Bill is sitting by his daughter Summer’s bedside, hoping against hope that she’ll open her eyes. Badly beaten and unconscious, she went missing two days earlier and turned up in a crime infested park, alongside her best friend who was dead. Sounds intriguing, right? Who could blame a dad for wanting to pinpoint the culprits and make them pay?
Turns out, Bill was one of my biggest issues with this story. Not only was he nonsensical and prone to flying off the handle at the most inopportune times, but his dialogue throughout the entire story was incredibly awkward and stilted. The conversations all of these characters shared lacked a natural ease. The overly dramatic tone wasn’t helping the situation any either. Add in the fact that Bill’s inner monologues were repetitive and he continuously regurgitated the same information to just about everyone he came in contact with and I was one unhappy reader.
My discontent was only further fueled by the “twist” that was thrown in prior to the start of Part II. I refuse to say anything further because I don’t want to risk ruining the story for anyone else, but it wasn't anything that I found to be exciting or plausible. In fact, I might have even rolled my eyes. David Bell put up a valiant effort—stringing the reader along with twists here and there—but it lacked heart and development. It felt like he took the easy way out one too many times.
If I haven’t complained enough already, let me throw in this last little tidbit—the author used the same plot device throughout the ENTIRE storyline and it started with these words, “I need to talk to you . . . ” I don’t think I've ever come across a cast of characters that so readily offered up their secrets and crimes as this one.
Overall, this was pretty much a complete miss for me, which I have to say, caught me off guard. Only time will tell if I’ll give this author another chance. Who knows, maybe he’ll suck me in with another pretty cover.
*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2017
Fantastic! Outstanding! Where do I start?
Summer and her friend Hailey go out one evening as most teenage best friends do. Just one problem- they don't come home. 2 days later the police find 2 girls savagely beaten beyond recognition. One alive and one dead.
Now Bill Price, father of one of the missing girls is turning over every stone to find the reason behind the beating and murder.
Unfortunately, I can't get any deeper into the plot without giving too much away. I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Just know there are shocking twists at every turn. Moments that make you go...Are you kidding me??!! It will keep you constantly guessing. Me? Well I never saw it coming. It's just that good!
Short chapters that just fly by. I kept telling myself ok, just 1 more chapter. Ha...Not a chance! Could not, would not put it down!
And that book cover? Gorgeous! All-around winner! I absolutely recommend to all thriller fans!
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and David Bell for the ARC to review.
Summer and her friend Hailey go out one evening as most teenage best friends do. Just one problem- they don't come home. 2 days later the police find 2 girls savagely beaten beyond recognition. One alive and one dead.
Now Bill Price, father of one of the missing girls is turning over every stone to find the reason behind the beating and murder.
Unfortunately, I can't get any deeper into the plot without giving too much away. I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Just know there are shocking twists at every turn. Moments that make you go...Are you kidding me??!! It will keep you constantly guessing. Me? Well I never saw it coming. It's just that good!
Short chapters that just fly by. I kept telling myself ok, just 1 more chapter. Ha...Not a chance! Could not, would not put it down!
And that book cover? Gorgeous! All-around winner! I absolutely recommend to all thriller fans!
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and David Bell for the ARC to review.
September 15, 2018
this book is fine if you’re looking for a fast read that’s gonna keep your mind diverted for a time, but it’s got some problems. i read this as an arc, and i’m totally willing to give it the benefit of the doubt for some of the cosmetic ones, like someone using the wrong character’s name in a conversation, or someone who should know better using the term “gender identity” when discussing a homosexual character, or a person whose arms are “crossed” but still has her right hand resting on her waist, her elbow at forty-five degree angle to her body, all of which will likely be caught on the final editorial pass before publication, but there are more substantial errors/contradictions here, the most glaring involving the circumstances around a character’s bracelet, and some things that are too deeply ingrained textually to be anything other than an author’s conscious choice; things that came across a little amateurish for someone with so many books under their belt.
i’ve never read david bell before, even though i have bought at least three of his earlier works because they sounded right up my alley, so i don’t know if this is true to form for him, or if this review by a fan is accurate, and he's “phoning it in” this time, but there are definitely some issues.
i’ll point to the good stuff first. the plot is fertile soil for drama and suspense: recently widowed bill price’s fifteen-year-old daughter summer goes missing along with her best friend haley. after a few days of gut-wrenching anxiety, summer is found in a local park, badly beaten, unconscious, unable to explain what has happened to her or where haley is. from that point on, it’s all zoom zoom zoom through a series of revelations and twists told in very short chapters (93 chapters and an epilogue in about 425 pages), as bill takes the investigation into his own hands, uncovers secrets about his family, and questions his paternal abilities, which faltered while he was isolated in his own grief and personal demons.
it hits all the marks a psych thriller is meant to hit: there are red herrings and action sequences and an investigative arc in which information unspools slowly, driving the narrative towards its conclusion.
it’s just not particularly literary. if that doesn’t matter to you, have at it - i would definitely recommend this as a vacation or an escapist/unwinding book, one which is gonna hold your interest for its duration. the whodunnit is pretty well-telegraphed, but there are other splinter revelations that are more than enough to keep you invested in the story even if you know who the baddie is.
if you’re more picky about character, style, ‘authenticity,” you may run into problems.
even though this is all told from bill’s POV, complete with interior monologues, we don’t really get a sense of who he is as a character. he’s still grieving his wife, complete with sentimental, fetishized attachments to her belongings, and he’s angry all the time and prone to violence. those are pretty much the only two speeds this character has, and we flip back and forth between the two. he’s always angry,always usually suppressing his impulses to lash out, but that struggle doesn’t come across cool like wolverine; his temper flares are so frequently over minor affronts, they come across as the tantrum-bursts of a child.
as far as structure, there’s something about it that reads like a play - so many intimate conversations occur in which every character has information about summer, but they don’t give it up all at once - it’s staggered out between several different meetings, and always prefaced by a dramatic announcement along the lines of “there’s something you should know,” or “it’s time you heard the truth,” or some such variation, usually serving as the breaking-point between chapters, and divulged regardless of whether the character's profession contains some sort of expectation of confidentiality (pastor, guidance counselor), or whether it might be more appropriate for them to tell the police instead of the victim’s father, especially after bill has some pretty public episodes that show off his temper and the police are looking into him as a suspect. this piecemeal exposition stretches out the suspense, but it also stretches a reader’s willingness to buy into the situation.
if any of those things are going to bother you, maybe pick something else up for now, but for a summer release, it’s perfectly entertaining as long as you don’t expect it to raise the bar of psych suspense or be a book you hand down reverently from generation to generation.
come to my blog!
i’ve never read david bell before, even though i have bought at least three of his earlier works because they sounded right up my alley, so i don’t know if this is true to form for him, or if this review by a fan is accurate, and he's “phoning it in” this time, but there are definitely some issues.
i’ll point to the good stuff first. the plot is fertile soil for drama and suspense: recently widowed bill price’s fifteen-year-old daughter summer goes missing along with her best friend haley. after a few days of gut-wrenching anxiety, summer is found in a local park, badly beaten, unconscious, unable to explain what has happened to her or where haley is. from that point on, it’s all zoom zoom zoom through a series of revelations and twists told in very short chapters (93 chapters and an epilogue in about 425 pages), as bill takes the investigation into his own hands, uncovers secrets about his family, and questions his paternal abilities, which faltered while he was isolated in his own grief and personal demons.
it hits all the marks a psych thriller is meant to hit: there are red herrings and action sequences and an investigative arc in which information unspools slowly, driving the narrative towards its conclusion.
it’s just not particularly literary. if that doesn’t matter to you, have at it - i would definitely recommend this as a vacation or an escapist/unwinding book, one which is gonna hold your interest for its duration. the whodunnit is pretty well-telegraphed, but there are other splinter revelations that are more than enough to keep you invested in the story even if you know who the baddie is.
if you’re more picky about character, style, ‘authenticity,” you may run into problems.
even though this is all told from bill’s POV, complete with interior monologues, we don’t really get a sense of who he is as a character. he’s still grieving his wife, complete with sentimental, fetishized attachments to her belongings, and he’s angry all the time and prone to violence. those are pretty much the only two speeds this character has, and we flip back and forth between the two. he’s always angry,
as far as structure, there’s something about it that reads like a play - so many intimate conversations occur in which every character has information about summer, but they don’t give it up all at once - it’s staggered out between several different meetings, and always prefaced by a dramatic announcement along the lines of “there’s something you should know,” or “it’s time you heard the truth,” or some such variation, usually serving as the breaking-point between chapters, and divulged regardless of whether the character's profession contains some sort of expectation of confidentiality (pastor, guidance counselor), or whether it might be more appropriate for them to tell the police instead of the victim’s father, especially after bill has some pretty public episodes that show off his temper and the police are looking into him as a suspect. this piecemeal exposition stretches out the suspense, but it also stretches a reader’s willingness to buy into the situation.
if any of those things are going to bother you, maybe pick something else up for now, but for a summer release, it’s perfectly entertaining as long as you don’t expect it to raise the bar of psych suspense or be a book you hand down reverently from generation to generation.
come to my blog!
October 14, 2017
5 stars! Wow - this was an intensely suspenseful, cleverly written, tension-filled thriller! I loved it!
I read this with Brenda and we found ourselves addicted to the pages, hanging on every single word!
This was my first David Bell book and it DEFINITELY won't be my last - I loved his writing!
To find our full Traveling Sister Read review, please visit Brenda and Norma's fabulous blog at:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
I read this with Brenda and we found ourselves addicted to the pages, hanging on every single word!
This was my first David Bell book and it DEFINITELY won't be my last - I loved his writing!
To find our full Traveling Sister Read review, please visit Brenda and Norma's fabulous blog at:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
September 10, 2017
Traveling Sister Review by Brenda and Lindsay
Bring Her Home is a captivating, tense and emotional story of a father’s frantic quest to bring his daughter home. When we first meet Bill he is grieving a loss and is soon faced with another nightmare. We really loved hearing the story from Bill’s perspective and we could feel his desperation, grief, frustration and anger as he searched for answers to the secrets of today and some that are buried in the past.
In this well-paced story, David Bell led us down a path of secrets and lies that we thought we knew where it was going only to be taken in different turns than we expected, leaving us feeling very satisfied where it ended. The suspense and tension increased with every twist and turn and we were hanging on to every word.
David Bell does a good job with the dynamics of the characters and we really enjoyed Bill’s relationship with his sister Paige who comes to support him in his nightmare. She brings the much needed balance to Bill. We enjoyed how she softens and calm him down and points him to what's most important. We could feel their love and bond they have with each other.
To sum it up, this was a perfectly paced, highly suspenseful and deeply engaging read that left us hungry for more by David Bell. We highly recommend this gripping and emotional story of a father’s quest to Bring Her Home.
Thank you, NetGalley, Berkley Books and David Bell for providing a copy of this book for me to read and review.
All of our Traveling Sisters Group Read Reviews can be found on Norma’s and my sister blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
Bring Her Home is a captivating, tense and emotional story of a father’s frantic quest to bring his daughter home. When we first meet Bill he is grieving a loss and is soon faced with another nightmare. We really loved hearing the story from Bill’s perspective and we could feel his desperation, grief, frustration and anger as he searched for answers to the secrets of today and some that are buried in the past.
In this well-paced story, David Bell led us down a path of secrets and lies that we thought we knew where it was going only to be taken in different turns than we expected, leaving us feeling very satisfied where it ended. The suspense and tension increased with every twist and turn and we were hanging on to every word.
David Bell does a good job with the dynamics of the characters and we really enjoyed Bill’s relationship with his sister Paige who comes to support him in his nightmare. She brings the much needed balance to Bill. We enjoyed how she softens and calm him down and points him to what's most important. We could feel their love and bond they have with each other.
To sum it up, this was a perfectly paced, highly suspenseful and deeply engaging read that left us hungry for more by David Bell. We highly recommend this gripping and emotional story of a father’s quest to Bring Her Home.
Thank you, NetGalley, Berkley Books and David Bell for providing a copy of this book for me to read and review.
All of our Traveling Sisters Group Read Reviews can be found on Norma’s and my sister blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
July 20, 2017
4.5 Stars → BRING HER HOME is another gripping, character-driven mystery/thriller from David Bell. I flew through this book. The shorter chapters that ended with a new clue or reveal really quickened the pace. What would come next? I was compelled to keep reading.
This is the kind of book that can easily be spoiled with too much talk of the plot, so I’ll just say wow. Lots of delicious and disturbing surprises made this an entertaining read. The characters were complicated, flawed, and easy to empathize with. They could be frustrating at times, but given their situation, it’s understandable.
This was an enjoyably nerve-racking thriller that was hard to put down. It also had that emotional edge that I love in David Bells’ novels. I’ve read several of his books, and BRING HER HOME is probably my favorite.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is the kind of book that can easily be spoiled with too much talk of the plot, so I’ll just say wow. Lots of delicious and disturbing surprises made this an entertaining read. The characters were complicated, flawed, and easy to empathize with. They could be frustrating at times, but given their situation, it’s understandable.
This was an enjoyably nerve-racking thriller that was hard to put down. It also had that emotional edge that I love in David Bells’ novels. I’ve read several of his books, and BRING HER HOME is probably my favorite.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2017
2.5 stars rounded up
I realize I'm in the minority. I'm fully aware there are those who adore Bell's writing. This is my first book of his and I did not enjoy reading it.
This is a story of a parent's worst nightmare - doubled. There are two missing girls: one is found badly beaten, barely alive and the other is dead. The nightmare for this father continues to get worse, if you even can imagine that happening.
This is all loosely based on a true story that was in the news a few years ago so the "mystery" wasn't too suspenseful for me. The writing style was good, edge of your seat style writing. However, that was part of my problem overall. Everything was written at such a rushed pace that I felt that I couldn't process the content. Rather than enjoying the thrill ride like I do with many thrillers, I just wanted to either stop reading or skim ahead to the end to make the anxious feeling stop. I skimmed. I'm sure it's just me. I'm positive Bell is a great thrill writer, but I'm not going to be the one to recommend this book nor will I read him again.
I realize I'm in the minority. I'm fully aware there are those who adore Bell's writing. This is my first book of his and I did not enjoy reading it.
This is a story of a parent's worst nightmare - doubled. There are two missing girls: one is found badly beaten, barely alive and the other is dead. The nightmare for this father continues to get worse, if you even can imagine that happening.
This is all loosely based on a true story that was in the news a few years ago so the "mystery" wasn't too suspenseful for me. The writing style was good, edge of your seat style writing. However, that was part of my problem overall. Everything was written at such a rushed pace that I felt that I couldn't process the content. Rather than enjoying the thrill ride like I do with many thrillers, I just wanted to either stop reading or skim ahead to the end to make the anxious feeling stop. I skimmed. I'm sure it's just me. I'm positive Bell is a great thrill writer, but I'm not going to be the one to recommend this book nor will I read him again.
July 19, 2017
3 Stars.
GREAT start, GOOD story, SHORT chapters, but (for me) long-winded redundant conversations were somewhat bothersome.
BRING HER HOME is a difficult novel to review without giving anything away....and I do not want to ruin the big-time, shocking revelations for other readers, but will say......
What happened to 15 year old Summer...and why is the gist of the storyline, and her father's emotional turmoil and often haphazard, but persistent stance to help solve the mystery...and hopefully...find his daughter an important aspect.
"So many weird things are happening" as you will see...and so many secrets will be revealed, but (for me) the culprit was a bit too predictable and the dialogue too wordy.
That being said, still an entertaining, at times suspenseful OK read. Loved Cemetery Girl and look forward to reading more David Bell.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2017
BRING HER HOME is the new thriller from David Bell, bestselling author of Since She Went Away and Somebody I Used to Know. This is a gripping character-driven thriller that deals with the fate the fate of two missing teenage girls.
A year and a half after the tragic death of his wife, Bill Price’s fifteen-year-old daughter, Summer, and her best friend, Haley, disappear. Days later, the girls are found in a city park. Haley is dead at the scene, while Summer is left beaten beyond recognition and in a coma in ICU.
The more time Bill spends with Summer, the more he wonders what happened to her. Or if the injured girl in the hospital bed is really his daughter at all. What was the reason for the beating and the murder?
The answers to the present are buried in the past!
Now I can’t explain any more of the plot for risk of spoilers. You will just have to read it yourself to find out why?
Short suspenseful chapters, a gripping plot with realistic characters makes this novel a definite winner! Highly recommended!
Many thanks to David Bell, Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC.
A year and a half after the tragic death of his wife, Bill Price’s fifteen-year-old daughter, Summer, and her best friend, Haley, disappear. Days later, the girls are found in a city park. Haley is dead at the scene, while Summer is left beaten beyond recognition and in a coma in ICU.
The more time Bill spends with Summer, the more he wonders what happened to her. Or if the injured girl in the hospital bed is really his daughter at all. What was the reason for the beating and the murder?
The answers to the present are buried in the past!
Now I can’t explain any more of the plot for risk of spoilers. You will just have to read it yourself to find out why?
Short suspenseful chapters, a gripping plot with realistic characters makes this novel a definite winner! Highly recommended!
Many thanks to David Bell, Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC.
August 9, 2017
A teenager not being home at curfew time, a phone call no parent wants to get, and a lot of questions.
Summer and Haley were the best of friends since first grade, and now that they are teenagers they share secrets and go everywhere together.
Going everywhere together one fateful night turned into a nightmare for Bill, Summer's father, and Haley's mother.
The police were investigating everyone who had known the girls and everything that had happened to Bill and Summer before and after the death of Summer's mother a year ago. I suspected a few characters as I continued reading and one in particular.
The police never had a handle on things because something new would turn up to turn the investigation back to square one. Some of the findings were unbelievable.
BRING HER HOME led us through the horror of a child gone missing and dying as well as learning the steps taken in a police investigation with this type of crime.
The characters and their emotions were credible, but trusting a few of them was difficult. Bill was very emotional to the point of doing crazy things, but who wouldn't when your daughter was missing. The teenagers did some things that were quite unimaginable. The neighbor, Adam, was too nice to be believable.
The secrecy of teenagers was one of the major themes and was very well done by Mr. Bell.
My only criticism is that BRING HER HOME was a bit long and dragged out.
All in all, though, the book kept me guessing, and the end was good. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Summer and Haley were the best of friends since first grade, and now that they are teenagers they share secrets and go everywhere together.
Going everywhere together one fateful night turned into a nightmare for Bill, Summer's father, and Haley's mother.
The police were investigating everyone who had known the girls and everything that had happened to Bill and Summer before and after the death of Summer's mother a year ago. I suspected a few characters as I continued reading and one in particular.
The police never had a handle on things because something new would turn up to turn the investigation back to square one. Some of the findings were unbelievable.
BRING HER HOME led us through the horror of a child gone missing and dying as well as learning the steps taken in a police investigation with this type of crime.
The characters and their emotions were credible, but trusting a few of them was difficult. Bill was very emotional to the point of doing crazy things, but who wouldn't when your daughter was missing. The teenagers did some things that were quite unimaginable. The neighbor, Adam, was too nice to be believable.
The secrecy of teenagers was one of the major themes and was very well done by Mr. Bell.
My only criticism is that BRING HER HOME was a bit long and dragged out.
All in all, though, the book kept me guessing, and the end was good. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 26, 2017
So, I pretty much inhaled Bring Her Home by David Bell. Short chapters will always win me over. It keeps the story going for me.
So what’s it about? A year after Bill’s wife unexpectedly dies, he is faced with another terrifying situation. Right on the first page we are experiencing Bill’s anxiety while he enters a hospital. His daughter, Summer and her best friend, Haley, have been found badly beaten. The girls had gone out for Halloween and never made it back. Now that Summer has been found Bill sticks by his daughter’s side in hopes she’ll wake up. I don’t really want to say much else because I don’t want to spoil any twisty twists.
I’ll be honest and say I knew where this was headed but I WAS surprised with a few different twists. Bring her home was still an enjoyable read and I would recommend. 4.5 Stars!
So what’s it about? A year after Bill’s wife unexpectedly dies, he is faced with another terrifying situation. Right on the first page we are experiencing Bill’s anxiety while he enters a hospital. His daughter, Summer and her best friend, Haley, have been found badly beaten. The girls had gone out for Halloween and never made it back. Now that Summer has been found Bill sticks by his daughter’s side in hopes she’ll wake up. I don’t really want to say much else because I don’t want to spoil any twisty twists.
I’ll be honest and say I knew where this was headed but I WAS surprised with a few different twists. Bring her home was still an enjoyable read and I would recommend. 4.5 Stars!
September 11, 2017
A year and a half after the death of his wife, Bill and his teenage daughter Samantha are trying are trying to piece their lives back together. Unfortunately, the worst is not over for Bill. When Summer and her best friend Hailey go missing, Bill is a wreck. Days later, two bodies are dumped in the local park, beaten beyond recognition. Summer is in a coma in the ICU, and Hailey is taken to the local morgue.
The more time Bill spends in Summer's hospital room, the more he starts to question whether the girl in the hospital bed is actually his daughter. As more questions start to arise, Bill is determined to uncover who is behind these brutal attacks, and why.
I really liked the plot of Bring Her Home, and I also loved the fact that instead of throwing in one major twist at the end of the book, that there were multiple smaller twists leading up to the very end. Many of the small twists early in the book I didn't see coming, though I did absolutely call the one at the end!
I really enjoyed the relationship between Bill and Summer in this book. It felt like a really realistic portrayal of a single dad raising a fifteen year old girl after the death of her mother. Their relationship was rocky, but Bill is doing the best that he can, even though he falls short sometimes.
The suspense in this book was great - the chapters were short, and I was continually telling myself "just one more chapter!" and then I ended up reading the entire book! There are so many open questions happening at any given time within the book, that I was dying to find out what was happening and why!
All in all, I gave this one 4.5 stars, and I'd recommend it to fans of the thriller/suspense genres! This was the first book by David Bell that I'd read, and I'm definitely a fan. His writing was great, and he kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, so I can't wait to read more of his work! A big thank you to Netgalley, David Bell, and Berkley Books for an advanced copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review!
The more time Bill spends in Summer's hospital room, the more he starts to question whether the girl in the hospital bed is actually his daughter. As more questions start to arise, Bill is determined to uncover who is behind these brutal attacks, and why.
I really liked the plot of Bring Her Home, and I also loved the fact that instead of throwing in one major twist at the end of the book, that there were multiple smaller twists leading up to the very end. Many of the small twists early in the book I didn't see coming, though I did absolutely call the one at the end!
I really enjoyed the relationship between Bill and Summer in this book. It felt like a really realistic portrayal of a single dad raising a fifteen year old girl after the death of her mother. Their relationship was rocky, but Bill is doing the best that he can, even though he falls short sometimes.
The suspense in this book was great - the chapters were short, and I was continually telling myself "just one more chapter!" and then I ended up reading the entire book! There are so many open questions happening at any given time within the book, that I was dying to find out what was happening and why!
All in all, I gave this one 4.5 stars, and I'd recommend it to fans of the thriller/suspense genres! This was the first book by David Bell that I'd read, and I'm definitely a fan. His writing was great, and he kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, so I can't wait to read more of his work! A big thank you to Netgalley, David Bell, and Berkley Books for an advanced copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review!
March 26, 2019
3.5 Stars!!
I have heard so many good things about this author and have really been wanting to read his books, yet inexplicably, the three novels of his I own have sat lonely and neglected on my bookshelf for FOREVER!! At the beginning of this year, I set a resolution to read more of what I already own, and to only buy when I get more caught up with these. I'm really glad I've been able to stick with this...as I've discovered several hidden gems, including this book!
Bring Her Home is what I would definitely call a 'slow burn' mystery. There is little action, but there is a TON of character development. The protagonist is a father who is trying to solve a mystery involving his daughter and her best friend. I don't want to say a lot more, other than there are a TON of unexpected plot twists that I did not see coming! I found myself really caring about the characters and on the edge of my seat waiting to discover what exactly happened here! I think I pretty much chewed up all of my finger nails reading this one! I was pretty satisfied with the ending and the overall story, but think if I had to critique anything it would be that this one could have been a lot shorter. It didn't exactly drag,or have dull moments, but several scenes felt like they could have been cut out, IMO. I will definitely continue reading Bell, and would love to hear which book everyone thinks is his best one, thus far. Anyone craving a great mystery, please pick this one up!
I have heard so many good things about this author and have really been wanting to read his books, yet inexplicably, the three novels of his I own have sat lonely and neglected on my bookshelf for FOREVER!! At the beginning of this year, I set a resolution to read more of what I already own, and to only buy when I get more caught up with these. I'm really glad I've been able to stick with this...as I've discovered several hidden gems, including this book!
Bring Her Home is what I would definitely call a 'slow burn' mystery. There is little action, but there is a TON of character development. The protagonist is a father who is trying to solve a mystery involving his daughter and her best friend. I don't want to say a lot more, other than there are a TON of unexpected plot twists that I did not see coming! I found myself really caring about the characters and on the edge of my seat waiting to discover what exactly happened here! I think I pretty much chewed up all of my finger nails reading this one! I was pretty satisfied with the ending and the overall story, but think if I had to critique anything it would be that this one could have been a lot shorter. It didn't exactly drag,or have dull moments, but several scenes felt like they could have been cut out, IMO. I will definitely continue reading Bell, and would love to hear which book everyone thinks is his best one, thus far. Anyone craving a great mystery, please pick this one up!
April 17, 2017
David Bell never ceases to amaze me with the fluidity of his writing. I start reading & I just don't want to stop until I turn the last page. A few twists & turns I didn't see coming, a quick paced read, interesting characters & family dynamic. A total win win!
July 10, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
A couple of weeks ago I participated in a special blog tour to celebrate Bell’s newest release, if you missed it here’s my review of The Forgotten Girl. I’m a huge fan of his novels and BHH is hands down my new favorite! It was shocking, compelling and ultimately a satisfying read.
Bill is an average man, a father still grieving after the sudden loss of his wife when the unthinkable happens and his teenaged daughter, Summer goes missing. This was unique in that it begins after she was already missing for a few days and wasn’t told from the POV of a police officer, it’s told from Bill himself. Beyond that, I don’t want to discuss the plot because it was full of twists and turns that were shocking.
This was straightforward storytelling with no alternating timelines or various points of view and I didn’t realize how much I missed books being told this way until I picked this up. It was really nice to read something told in a basic linear matter with no extraneous devices used. The pacing was really fast and the writing style was so fluid and polished, Bell is a truly gifted writer.
I spoke of the twists earlier, but I want to point out again how blown away I was by the way they were executed. There was a subtlety to them and they were wholly believable. You know how oftentimes you have to suspend disbelief when you’re reading a thriller? There isn’t any of that here, scenarios are realistic and so are the characters Bell crafts. Bill broke my heart he was so raw and vulnerable, he was really relatable and I connected with him instantly.
If you haven’t read a Bell novel before, start here. I think it’s his best work so far and it was such an engrossing tale, definitely going on my list of top reads of the year.
A couple of weeks ago I participated in a special blog tour to celebrate Bell’s newest release, if you missed it here’s my review of The Forgotten Girl. I’m a huge fan of his novels and BHH is hands down my new favorite! It was shocking, compelling and ultimately a satisfying read.
Bill is an average man, a father still grieving after the sudden loss of his wife when the unthinkable happens and his teenaged daughter, Summer goes missing. This was unique in that it begins after she was already missing for a few days and wasn’t told from the POV of a police officer, it’s told from Bill himself. Beyond that, I don’t want to discuss the plot because it was full of twists and turns that were shocking.
This was straightforward storytelling with no alternating timelines or various points of view and I didn’t realize how much I missed books being told this way until I picked this up. It was really nice to read something told in a basic linear matter with no extraneous devices used. The pacing was really fast and the writing style was so fluid and polished, Bell is a truly gifted writer.
I spoke of the twists earlier, but I want to point out again how blown away I was by the way they were executed. There was a subtlety to them and they were wholly believable. You know how oftentimes you have to suspend disbelief when you’re reading a thriller? There isn’t any of that here, scenarios are realistic and so are the characters Bell crafts. Bill broke my heart he was so raw and vulnerable, he was really relatable and I connected with him instantly.
If you haven’t read a Bell novel before, start here. I think it’s his best work so far and it was such an engrossing tale, definitely going on my list of top reads of the year.
July 27, 2017
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Talk about some curve-balls! Thank you, David Bell, for making me second guess myself fifteen times and be completely surprised at the end of every 4 chapters.
I mean that though, this book is so well written, and so freaking good. I couldn't put it down, and I mean that. I flew through this book because there was so much weirdness going on, and I couldn't make sense of any of it, or place the cause of any weirdness and I had to figure out what the hell was going on.
This is not a confusing book, by any means. This book is a prime example of the perfect mystery/thriller. To me, at least, it would be hard for me to find another book to compare this to. I love when an author can throw me so off course and surprise me time and time again, all in the same book.
I had my suspicions, but I couldn't fully convince myself that's who was involved. You'll look closely and wonder about 4 or 5 characters while reading this.
I can't say enough good things about this book. David Bell blew this one out of the park for me. I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did. 5 stars for this wonderful story.
Again, a huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy, and an even bigger 'thank you' to David Bell for his creativity and accuracy. I LOVED THIS.
Talk about some curve-balls! Thank you, David Bell, for making me second guess myself fifteen times and be completely surprised at the end of every 4 chapters.
I mean that though, this book is so well written, and so freaking good. I couldn't put it down, and I mean that. I flew through this book because there was so much weirdness going on, and I couldn't make sense of any of it, or place the cause of any weirdness and I had to figure out what the hell was going on.
This is not a confusing book, by any means. This book is a prime example of the perfect mystery/thriller. To me, at least, it would be hard for me to find another book to compare this to. I love when an author can throw me so off course and surprise me time and time again, all in the same book.
I had my suspicions, but I couldn't fully convince myself that's who was involved. You'll look closely and wonder about 4 or 5 characters while reading this.
I can't say enough good things about this book. David Bell blew this one out of the park for me. I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did. 5 stars for this wonderful story.
Again, a huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy, and an even bigger 'thank you' to David Bell for his creativity and accuracy. I LOVED THIS.
November 7, 2017
Come check out and join the discussion that Chelsea from The Suspense Is Thrilling Me and I had about the book!
https://cluesandreviews.wordpress.com...
I read a lot of mystery and thriller books (obviously!) so, when I come across one that impresses me, I feel like shouting from the rooftops. Bring Her Home, by David Bell, was one of those books that made me want to shout. Fast-paced and entertaining, I found myself completely invested to our protagonist and his struggles.
The novel opens with Bill, a widower, facing every father’s worst nightmare. His fifteen-year-old daughter, Summer is missing (along with her best friend, Haley). Days later, the girls are found in the park. Haley is dead on the scene and Summer is badly beaten. Bill is left begging his daughter to fight for her life but also begins to wonder if he knows his daughter at all. As Bill searches for the truth, he discovers more than what he thought.
Instead of going for the gusto, Bell opens subtly and slowly draws his reader in. I felt instantly intrigued. From the first pages, Bell does a superb job at setting up lots of questions for the reader to continuously ask. I really loved this; when I read, I love to be active in my thought process trying to figure out the plot and where the author plans on going.
One of the other things I enjoyed was the plethora of twists in the middle of the novel. Especially since I am completely tired of the big, shocking, one moment twists that so many thrillers have these days. I felt like this made the story even more eerie and ominous because it felt so real; this truly could have been a story that could happen to anyone.
As for characterization, I felt like Bill was relatable and the story felt very real; I really appreciated that!
I was able to guess pretty early on parts of the resolution of the novel but Bell did bring in some complex details that I would never have guessed that amped up the ending for me.
Overall, I feel like fans of the “feels real” thriller will enjoy this novel; think authors like Mary Kubica. I absolutely relished in this one. 4/5 stars from me!
https://cluesandreviews.wordpress.com...
I read a lot of mystery and thriller books (obviously!) so, when I come across one that impresses me, I feel like shouting from the rooftops. Bring Her Home, by David Bell, was one of those books that made me want to shout. Fast-paced and entertaining, I found myself completely invested to our protagonist and his struggles.
The novel opens with Bill, a widower, facing every father’s worst nightmare. His fifteen-year-old daughter, Summer is missing (along with her best friend, Haley). Days later, the girls are found in the park. Haley is dead on the scene and Summer is badly beaten. Bill is left begging his daughter to fight for her life but also begins to wonder if he knows his daughter at all. As Bill searches for the truth, he discovers more than what he thought.
Instead of going for the gusto, Bell opens subtly and slowly draws his reader in. I felt instantly intrigued. From the first pages, Bell does a superb job at setting up lots of questions for the reader to continuously ask. I really loved this; when I read, I love to be active in my thought process trying to figure out the plot and where the author plans on going.
One of the other things I enjoyed was the plethora of twists in the middle of the novel. Especially since I am completely tired of the big, shocking, one moment twists that so many thrillers have these days. I felt like this made the story even more eerie and ominous because it felt so real; this truly could have been a story that could happen to anyone.
As for characterization, I felt like Bill was relatable and the story felt very real; I really appreciated that!
I was able to guess pretty early on parts of the resolution of the novel but Bell did bring in some complex details that I would never have guessed that amped up the ending for me.
Overall, I feel like fans of the “feels real” thriller will enjoy this novel; think authors like Mary Kubica. I absolutely relished in this one. 4/5 stars from me!
July 3, 2017
Not everything is as it seems in this book.
Bill Prices's world has been turned upside down. His daughter, Summer and her best friend Haley have gone missing. Bill is still recovering from his wife's death a year and a half earlier. He is called by police and learns that the girls have been found in a city park. His daughter is badly beaten but alive. Her friend Haley did not survive the attack.
Bill sits by his daughter and waits for answers. His daughter is not responsive except to say NO NO NO NO NO. His sister Paige comes to town to sit by his side and be a support as the the police (and Bill) try to find answers. Bill begins to learn more about his daughter Summer and some unsavory actions of her peers. As more information comes to light, a pressing question is asked...is the girl in the hospital bed really his daughter? If not, who is the girl in the hospital? Bill also learns that another girl who resembles Haley and Summer is missing. Are the missing girl cases related?
Secrets come out and the truth is revealed. I was not too shocked at one of the "reveals." The pacing of the plot in this book was spot on -nothing felt rushed or hurried. I really enjoyed the mystery and as I mentioned there is more than one "reveal" in this book. Very nice touch as not everything is as it seems in this book. This book does not disappoint and keeps the action moving at a steady pace. This was my first David Bell book but it will not be my last. This book is a fast read perfect for summer.
I received an ARC of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Bill Prices's world has been turned upside down. His daughter, Summer and her best friend Haley have gone missing. Bill is still recovering from his wife's death a year and a half earlier. He is called by police and learns that the girls have been found in a city park. His daughter is badly beaten but alive. Her friend Haley did not survive the attack.
Bill sits by his daughter and waits for answers. His daughter is not responsive except to say NO NO NO NO NO. His sister Paige comes to town to sit by his side and be a support as the the police (and Bill) try to find answers. Bill begins to learn more about his daughter Summer and some unsavory actions of her peers. As more information comes to light, a pressing question is asked...is the girl in the hospital bed really his daughter? If not, who is the girl in the hospital? Bill also learns that another girl who resembles Haley and Summer is missing. Are the missing girl cases related?
Secrets come out and the truth is revealed. I was not too shocked at one of the "reveals." The pacing of the plot in this book was spot on -nothing felt rushed or hurried. I really enjoyed the mystery and as I mentioned there is more than one "reveal" in this book. Very nice touch as not everything is as it seems in this book. This book does not disappoint and keeps the action moving at a steady pace. This was my first David Bell book but it will not be my last. This book is a fast read perfect for summer.
I received an ARC of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on https://shereadswithcats.com.
BRING HER HOME by David Bell - Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for my free copy - all opinions are my own.
Summary:
Bill Price lost his wife in a tragic accident a year and a half ago. Now his fifteen-year-old daughter Summer, and her best friend Haley, are missing. In a matter of days, both girls are recovered at a park, Haley found dead, while Summer has been beaten up beyond recognition.
While Summer is unconscious laying in a hospital bed, Bill tries to piece together what has happened to his daughter. Who took her? Where has she been? As he starts to ask questions, he feels as if he knows nothing about his daughter’s life. Old wounds start to surface and he is not prepared for what he finds!
“Her most recent school portrait, one in which her smile appeared so wholesome, she looked like the all-American girl. Some of the words jumped out at him from the notes: We love you.... We miss you.... Our thoughts and prayers.... Bring her home....”
My Review:
I love everything about this book! At the end of every chapter, there is a new cliffhanger and more questions to be answered. I didn’t know what to expect because I’ve read so many mysteries and thrillers - sometimes there is too much hype or it’s too formulaic. But not this one! Bell’s writing is genius! Some might think the dialogue is a bit repetitious but I think it was exactly what was needed. I was so engrossed in Bill Price’s thoughts and dialogue that I never saw that jaw-dropping moment coming. That’s a true testament to great writing! It’s difficult to say whether or not Price is a likable character - he’s a bit of a hot head, but you can definitely empathize with him and especially under these tragic circumstances. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, fun read with short, captivating chapters!! In other words... READ THIS BOOK!
BRING HER HOME by David Bell - Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for my free copy - all opinions are my own.
Summary:
Bill Price lost his wife in a tragic accident a year and a half ago. Now his fifteen-year-old daughter Summer, and her best friend Haley, are missing. In a matter of days, both girls are recovered at a park, Haley found dead, while Summer has been beaten up beyond recognition.
While Summer is unconscious laying in a hospital bed, Bill tries to piece together what has happened to his daughter. Who took her? Where has she been? As he starts to ask questions, he feels as if he knows nothing about his daughter’s life. Old wounds start to surface and he is not prepared for what he finds!
“Her most recent school portrait, one in which her smile appeared so wholesome, she looked like the all-American girl. Some of the words jumped out at him from the notes: We love you.... We miss you.... Our thoughts and prayers.... Bring her home....”
My Review:
I love everything about this book! At the end of every chapter, there is a new cliffhanger and more questions to be answered. I didn’t know what to expect because I’ve read so many mysteries and thrillers - sometimes there is too much hype or it’s too formulaic. But not this one! Bell’s writing is genius! Some might think the dialogue is a bit repetitious but I think it was exactly what was needed. I was so engrossed in Bill Price’s thoughts and dialogue that I never saw that jaw-dropping moment coming. That’s a true testament to great writing! It’s difficult to say whether or not Price is a likable character - he’s a bit of a hot head, but you can definitely empathize with him and especially under these tragic circumstances. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, fun read with short, captivating chapters!! In other words... READ THIS BOOK!
July 11, 2017
4.5 Stars
David Bell is a master of twists and turns. Leading you down the garden path into what you expect, however, when you get there, everything is completely different.
This story deals with every parents nightmare. A gruesome crime that has everyone looking for answers. With truths and untruths at every turn, it’s hard to know who to believe and who to trust.
The author definitely has a way with pulling you directly into the story. With amazing ability to keep you reading long into the night, this book has those deadly short chapters that beg you to keep going. Then bang! One more twist, one more turn. You are at the mercy of the author.
David Bell has another winner in this book. With plenty of suspense and thrills, Bring Her Home by David Bell is captivating. If you have not experienced a book by him yet, you’re missing a great read. This one is a perfect place to start!
* copy received for review
Full review http://amidlifewife.com/bring-her-hom...
David Bell is a master of twists and turns. Leading you down the garden path into what you expect, however, when you get there, everything is completely different.
This story deals with every parents nightmare. A gruesome crime that has everyone looking for answers. With truths and untruths at every turn, it’s hard to know who to believe and who to trust.
The author definitely has a way with pulling you directly into the story. With amazing ability to keep you reading long into the night, this book has those deadly short chapters that beg you to keep going. Then bang! One more twist, one more turn. You are at the mercy of the author.
David Bell has another winner in this book. With plenty of suspense and thrills, Bring Her Home by David Bell is captivating. If you have not experienced a book by him yet, you’re missing a great read. This one is a perfect place to start!
* copy received for review
Full review http://amidlifewife.com/bring-her-hom...
June 2, 2017
The worst fear in the world for a parent is something happening to their child. When Summer and her bestfriend Haley go missing Bill was losing his mind with worry. His wife died in an accidental fall a year and a half before and now this.
Bill was running around doing some bonehead things that I personally didn't agree with. I also don't know how I would react in a similar situation. There were some twists in the book that kept it exciting. I liked that it wasn't predictable. There were parts I saw coming as well as parts that had my eyes widening.
Thanks to FTR, David Bell and the publisher for allowing me to review this copy.
Bill was running around doing some bonehead things that I personally didn't agree with. I also don't know how I would react in a similar situation. There were some twists in the book that kept it exciting. I liked that it wasn't predictable. There were parts I saw coming as well as parts that had my eyes widening.
Thanks to FTR, David Bell and the publisher for allowing me to review this copy.
July 27, 2017
*2.5 stars
Let me start by saying that I'm a fan of David Bell's. For that reason, I was excited when I saw this available on Netgalley and even more excited when I got approved. Then I read it. This, unfortunately, didn't live up to my expectations. That doesn't mean I won't be excited in the future from reading anymore of Bell's books. He's good......usually.
This book, however, didn't work for me. First off, I completely hated the main character: the Dad. I thought he was an asshole! Nothing he did made me like him even a little bit. Everything he did was fueled by anger and not because of his daughter being missing. He was just an angry person to begin with. I understand that everyone handles grief differently but there were flashbacks to his childhood and it seems he was always an ass. So nothing he could do would make me like him. I think because of not liking him, I couldn't seem to really care about what happened. But then the mystery just didn't work for me either. I didn't get a sense of thrill from this book. I kind of saw what was going to happen and I honestly wasn't at all surprised at the end. Then the ending wasn't that great either. But like I said, I enjoy David Bell's books.....so one didn't work for me. Not a big deal. I will read more by him; this didn't deter me from that. But that Dad........I really couldn't stand him!!!!
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start by saying that I'm a fan of David Bell's. For that reason, I was excited when I saw this available on Netgalley and even more excited when I got approved. Then I read it. This, unfortunately, didn't live up to my expectations. That doesn't mean I won't be excited in the future from reading anymore of Bell's books. He's good......usually.
This book, however, didn't work for me. First off, I completely hated the main character: the Dad. I thought he was an asshole! Nothing he did made me like him even a little bit. Everything he did was fueled by anger and not because of his daughter being missing. He was just an angry person to begin with. I understand that everyone handles grief differently but there were flashbacks to his childhood and it seems he was always an ass. So nothing he could do would make me like him. I think because of not liking him, I couldn't seem to really care about what happened. But then the mystery just didn't work for me either. I didn't get a sense of thrill from this book. I kind of saw what was going to happen and I honestly wasn't at all surprised at the end. Then the ending wasn't that great either. But like I said, I enjoy David Bell's books.....so one didn't work for me. Not a big deal. I will read more by him; this didn't deter me from that. But that Dad........I really couldn't stand him!!!!
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2017
Bring Her Home by David Bell was for me a draining read i found the plot very intersting & grabbed me from the beginning but just found it to repetitive, the characters were good, but just didnt feel enough tension i found i was losing concentration & my mind was wandering which i hate to do, this was my first introduction to David Bell & am not sure i want to continue.
After losing his wife julia Bill Price has to deal with his Fifteen year old daughtwer Summer & her best friend Holly are found in a park Summer brutally beaten & Holly dead.
As Bill sits by Summers bedside the only thing she says is NO! NO! NO! Bill is mortified seeing his daughter in the state she is in he vows to find out the circumstances around both girls disapperaring in the first place.
In comes Detective Hawkins tro look into it he questions Bill repeatedly about Summers Behaviour which is Frustrating the life out of Bill He tells hawkins that Summer behaviour started after her mother Julia had died.
As the case goes on a high school boy named Clinton Field has a history of violence & that maybe he was involved in Hurting Summer & Haley?
What we find later in the story is that Summer had a lot of secrets that her father Bill didnt know about?
3 stars.
After losing his wife julia Bill Price has to deal with his Fifteen year old daughtwer Summer & her best friend Holly are found in a park Summer brutally beaten & Holly dead.
As Bill sits by Summers bedside the only thing she says is NO! NO! NO! Bill is mortified seeing his daughter in the state she is in he vows to find out the circumstances around both girls disapperaring in the first place.
In comes Detective Hawkins tro look into it he questions Bill repeatedly about Summers Behaviour which is Frustrating the life out of Bill He tells hawkins that Summer behaviour started after her mother Julia had died.
As the case goes on a high school boy named Clinton Field has a history of violence & that maybe he was involved in Hurting Summer & Haley?
What we find later in the story is that Summer had a lot of secrets that her father Bill didnt know about?
3 stars.
June 6, 2017
Bill Price and his teenage daughter, Summer, are still trying to cope with the sudden loss of their wife and mother, Julia, who fell to her death about a year and a half earlier. Not wanting to alienate Summer as she continues to grieve, Bill gives her a bit more rein than usual - not forcing the issue if she stays out a bit later or sulks around the house. That leeway comes into serious question, though, when Summer and her best friend Haley go missing.
Days later, they're found in a city park; Haley is dead, and Summer has been beaten to an unrecognizable pulp but is still clinging to life. In the hospital ICU, she begins the slow process of healing - her father and his sister, Paige, by her side almost every minute. Once in a while, she tries to speak - and the word she utters seems to be "no." She also knocks the stuffed animal Bill brought to comfort her - the one she refuses to sleep without at home - on the floor every time he places it in the bed with her. What, Bill wonders, is up with that?
Bill also questions the efforts of the local police, who he's convinced aren't doing enough to find out who did this to his precious daughter. For solace, he turns to Paige and his ever-so-slick friend and next-door neighbor, Adam. But mostly, he rants, yells, cajoles and berates the lead police detective on the case (that is, when he's not running off to badger someone he suspects is the culprit). Each time he gets himself in trouble for sticking his nose into police business, he apologizes - and then turns around and does it again when a new suspect (to his mind) turns up.
As the investigation continues, new information is unearthed on almost every page (clearly not fast enough for Bill, but it seemed plenty fast for me). Much of it sheds new light on Summer, leading Bill to reflect on how much he and his late wife really knew their precious daughter.
Especially given that at least one major twist happens near the beginning, that's about all I can say without giving away too much. The story is interesting and straightforward (the chapters don't shift back and forth among characters and/or time period, thank you very much), the action moves along quickly and the loose ends are pretty well tied up in the end - making for a very enjoyable experience overall. Many thanks to the publisher (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.
Days later, they're found in a city park; Haley is dead, and Summer has been beaten to an unrecognizable pulp but is still clinging to life. In the hospital ICU, she begins the slow process of healing - her father and his sister, Paige, by her side almost every minute. Once in a while, she tries to speak - and the word she utters seems to be "no." She also knocks the stuffed animal Bill brought to comfort her - the one she refuses to sleep without at home - on the floor every time he places it in the bed with her. What, Bill wonders, is up with that?
Bill also questions the efforts of the local police, who he's convinced aren't doing enough to find out who did this to his precious daughter. For solace, he turns to Paige and his ever-so-slick friend and next-door neighbor, Adam. But mostly, he rants, yells, cajoles and berates the lead police detective on the case (that is, when he's not running off to badger someone he suspects is the culprit). Each time he gets himself in trouble for sticking his nose into police business, he apologizes - and then turns around and does it again when a new suspect (to his mind) turns up.
As the investigation continues, new information is unearthed on almost every page (clearly not fast enough for Bill, but it seemed plenty fast for me). Much of it sheds new light on Summer, leading Bill to reflect on how much he and his late wife really knew their precious daughter.
Especially given that at least one major twist happens near the beginning, that's about all I can say without giving away too much. The story is interesting and straightforward (the chapters don't shift back and forth among characters and/or time period, thank you very much), the action moves along quickly and the loose ends are pretty well tied up in the end - making for a very enjoyable experience overall. Many thanks to the publisher (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.
March 20, 2017
Two teenage girls go for a walk and are reported missing. After two days one is found dead and the other severely beaten almost beyond recognition in the woods. Bill Price, the father of one of the girls is on a mission to find out what happened during those two days and who kept the girls captive.
It is very difficult to say anything more about the plot without giving the story away. This book is full of twists and turns. It started out real great and kept me engrossed trying to guess what actually happened. There were a few discrepancies in the book like for some reason instead of reporting to the police everybody keeps talking to Bill Price. But overall a fun and fast read and will look forward to reading more by David Bell.
Many thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
It is very difficult to say anything more about the plot without giving the story away. This book is full of twists and turns. It started out real great and kept me engrossed trying to guess what actually happened. There were a few discrepancies in the book like for some reason instead of reporting to the police everybody keeps talking to Bill Price. But overall a fun and fast read and will look forward to reading more by David Bell.
Many thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
July 9, 2017
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I found this to be a rather enjoyable read. After really enjoying Somebody I Used to Know and Since She Went Away, I jumped at the chance to read David Bell's newest release. I do have to say that I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the others that I have read but I still found it to be a solid story. I liked the format of the book with short chapters that seemed to move really fast. I found myself wanting to read this for hours at a time just to see what was going to happen next.
This book is told from Bill's point of view. I can't say that I ever really liked Bill all that much but I did understand why he acted as he did. Bill is still grieving the sudden loss of his wife a year and a half ago. As this book opens, Bill is called to the hospital to be with his daughter, Summer, who has just been found after being gone for several days. The girl she disappeared with is dead and Summer has a long recovery ahead of her.
This is a book that I think readers will enjoy more if they go in as blindly as possible so I am not going to go any deeper into the plot. I did find some of the twists in this book to be rather predictable. As soon as one big twist was revealed, I found that I had a pretty good idea about what would happen next. The second half of the book wasn't as predictable for me and I found myself reading at a much faster pace.
I would recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. It is a very well done novel with a whole lot to the story. I can't wait to see what David Bell comes up with next.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I thought the beginning of this book was well done but somewhat predictable. At about the mid point, the mystery got a lot stronger. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
I found this to be a rather enjoyable read. After really enjoying Somebody I Used to Know and Since She Went Away, I jumped at the chance to read David Bell's newest release. I do have to say that I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the others that I have read but I still found it to be a solid story. I liked the format of the book with short chapters that seemed to move really fast. I found myself wanting to read this for hours at a time just to see what was going to happen next.
This book is told from Bill's point of view. I can't say that I ever really liked Bill all that much but I did understand why he acted as he did. Bill is still grieving the sudden loss of his wife a year and a half ago. As this book opens, Bill is called to the hospital to be with his daughter, Summer, who has just been found after being gone for several days. The girl she disappeared with is dead and Summer has a long recovery ahead of her.
This is a book that I think readers will enjoy more if they go in as blindly as possible so I am not going to go any deeper into the plot. I did find some of the twists in this book to be rather predictable. As soon as one big twist was revealed, I found that I had a pretty good idea about what would happen next. The second half of the book wasn't as predictable for me and I found myself reading at a much faster pace.
I would recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. It is a very well done novel with a whole lot to the story. I can't wait to see what David Bell comes up with next.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I thought the beginning of this book was well done but somewhat predictable. At about the mid point, the mystery got a lot stronger. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
July 21, 2017
3.5 Stars!
It isn't often anymore that I read a good mystery or thriller, not because I don't love them, because I do, but because for whatever reason, more often than not, they get forgotten about but when I saw the synopsis for Bring Her Home, I knew I needed to make the time for it. Not only was Bell a new to me author but reading a mystery to me lately, was as well. And isn't summer the most perfect time for a good mystery? Okay, when isn't a good time for a good mystery but I digress.
Bring Her Home turned out to be quite a refreshing read for me. Not only was it well written but it was also told through the point of view of Bill who not only lost his wife a few short years ago from the start of the novel, but like every parents worst nightmare, now has his daughter's whereabouts unknown to him.
What parent doesn't fear this very thing happening every single time our child leaves the house?
This book played on my emotions in so many ways and while I did figure out who the bad guy was very early on it was okay because so many other things happened along the way that I didn't see coming and those things, those horrifying and seriously mysterious things, kept me reading and turning the pages.
This really was a read that kept me guessing all the time on what could possible turn up next, knowing who the bad guy was or not and I loved that about it. It really was perfect for summer and kept me entertained all the way through.
*ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
It isn't often anymore that I read a good mystery or thriller, not because I don't love them, because I do, but because for whatever reason, more often than not, they get forgotten about but when I saw the synopsis for Bring Her Home, I knew I needed to make the time for it. Not only was Bell a new to me author but reading a mystery to me lately, was as well. And isn't summer the most perfect time for a good mystery? Okay, when isn't a good time for a good mystery but I digress.
Bring Her Home turned out to be quite a refreshing read for me. Not only was it well written but it was also told through the point of view of Bill who not only lost his wife a few short years ago from the start of the novel, but like every parents worst nightmare, now has his daughter's whereabouts unknown to him.
What parent doesn't fear this very thing happening every single time our child leaves the house?
This book played on my emotions in so many ways and while I did figure out who the bad guy was very early on it was okay because so many other things happened along the way that I didn't see coming and those things, those horrifying and seriously mysterious things, kept me reading and turning the pages.
This really was a read that kept me guessing all the time on what could possible turn up next, knowing who the bad guy was or not and I loved that about it. It really was perfect for summer and kept me entertained all the way through.
*ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
July 6, 2017
Bill Price is a widower trying his best to bring up his fifteen-year-old daughter, Summer, by himself. Both are still reeling from the unexpected death of Julia, Bill's wife and Summer's mother, eighteen months ago. One evening, Summer and her best friend, Haley, disappear. Days later, one of the girls is found dead and the other severely injured, and Bill wants to find the person(s) responsible.
Following Somebody I Used to Know and Since She Went Away, this was my third book by David Bell. I enjoyed it, but can't help comparing it to the other two, and unfortunately, I didn't find this one as gripping, mysterious or suspenseful as the others.
There was a mix of surprising twists and parts that were completely predictable. It was a nice change to read something with a linear time frame and a single point of view (Bill's), though his interior monologue became slightly repetitive at times. However, the chapters were short and generally, it was quite a quick read and kept my attention.
Overall, entertaining enough and I would give it 3.5 stars if I could, but if you haven't read anything by this author before, I would suggest checking out some of his earlier books, too.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
Following Somebody I Used to Know and Since She Went Away, this was my third book by David Bell. I enjoyed it, but can't help comparing it to the other two, and unfortunately, I didn't find this one as gripping, mysterious or suspenseful as the others.
There was a mix of surprising twists and parts that were completely predictable. It was a nice change to read something with a linear time frame and a single point of view (Bill's), though his interior monologue became slightly repetitive at times. However, the chapters were short and generally, it was quite a quick read and kept my attention.
Overall, entertaining enough and I would give it 3.5 stars if I could, but if you haven't read anything by this author before, I would suggest checking out some of his earlier books, too.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
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