Charlie, Presumed Dead

Anne Heltzel

Black Inc Books

Nero

ISBN: 9781863957335

Description:

In Paris, family and friends gather to mourn the tragic passing of Charlie Price—young, handsome, charming, a world-traveler—who is presumed dead after an explosion. Authorities find only a bloodied jacket, ID’d as Charlie’s. At the funeral, two teens who are perfect strangers, Lena Whitney and Aubrey Boroughs, make another shocking discovery: they have both been dating Charlie, both think Charlie loved them and them alone, and there is a lot they didn’t know about their boyfriend. Over the next week, a mind-bending trip unfolds: first in London—then in Mumbai, Kerala, and Bangkok, the girls go in search of Charlie. Is he still alive? What did their love for him even mean? The truth is out there, but soon it becomes clear that the girls are harboring secrets of their own.

No one knows whom to trust in this thrilling tale of suspense and deception.

My View:

What an intriguing read! The premise is fantastic and the narrative is full of surprises, nothing is as it seems and just when you reach the final chapters and think that all will be neatly concluded you find that you have assumed the wrong thing again. Nothing at all is how it appears. Everyone has secrets they are holding close to their chest; secrets that will impact on the fate of others. This narrative asks the question – how well do you really know anybody?

Immersed in this book, and yes you will be, the story races along at full pelt, dragging you, guessing, assuming and second guessing – incorrectly, to the very end. But once you reach the end and have time to digest the unravelling of this plot you will start to notice a few places where a stitch or two has been dropped – but that really won’t overly concern you – you have bought your ticket, enjoyed the ride and now the trip is over…or is it?

PS Loved the cover art.