The Girl Who Came Back by Kerry Wilkinson
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Read: 14th July 2018
Purchase: Amazon
★★★★★ 5 stars
Thirteen years ago, Olivia Adams went missing. Now she's back...or is she?
THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK had me gripped from the first pages! Not even a Prologue to whet my appetite, it went straight in and had me hooked.
THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK is set in a little English village where everyone knows everyone and everyone knows everyone's business. You've heard of Chinese whispers - well, this is a case of Stoneridge whispers. Take an event such as little 6 year old Olivia Adam's disappearance from her back garden 13 years ago, and rumours are rife. Her father was quickly blamed with everyone assuming, as well as spreading the tale, that he was inside watching the football instead of his daughter in the back garden. And of course there's the cliche that parents just can't survive the disappearance or the death of a child and ultimately divorce.
Thirteen years later, Olivia returns to the village of Stoneridge seeking out her family. Her mother Sarah, now remarried with a toddler, quickly accepts her declaring that she "knows her own child". But the close-knit village is quick to judge with their own opinions and once Olivia's identity is out the knowledge causes a huge stir among the residents. She gains two new friends - Nattie and Rhys - who champion her cause. Nattie was Olivia's best friend when they were younger though Olivia doesn't remember her, given she was only young when she disappeared. Rhys was a little older than her but he remembers the story well. In fact, she becomes something of "cautionary tale" with parents keeping their kids in line with - "you don't want to end up like Olivia, do you?"
But there are those who don't want Olivia found. There are those who are skeptical of her return and that she is who she says she is.
Thirteen years later and Olivia returns? With a vague story about gypsies, no real details and not wanting to pursue legal action - it all seems a bit far-fetched. Her mother's new husband Max and his brother Ashley don't believe her story from the start. But Sarah looks into Olivia's eyes and just KNOWS it's her daughter. She has the same eyes. Even her father Dan says she has the "same way" about her as her mother - the way she talks and carries herself. She is certainly Sarah's child. But other's just aren't convinced.
Running alongside the main story - Olivia's story - is one of Lily throughout the years beginning from 2004 when she was 11 and her mother had just died. Lily's story is a sad one with just her and her dad after the death of her mother. Just how do these two stories entwine is the question we all ask...
Written in the first person from Olivia's perspective - and Lily's within her story -THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK is a very enjoyable read. It almost felt a little claustrophobic at times, being stuck within the confines of a very small English village, wondering just who to trust. I admit I figured out the connection early on but that didn't ruin the story for me at all. I still enjoyed the twists that came my way as I eagerly read into the night. It did end differently that I had anticipated, leaving you feeling a little sad for Olivia.
This is my first Kerry Wilkinson read and it certainly won't be my last. He writes cleverly and skillfully with just enough intrigue to keep us both entertained and absorbed to the last page. I definitely recommend!!
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