The Reunion by Samantha Hayes @samhayes #BlogTour @bookouture #TheReunion

They were all there the day your sister went missing... Who is lying? Who is next?

THEN – In charge of her little sister at the beach, Claire allowed Eleanor to walk to the shop alone to buy an ice cream. Placing a coin into her hand, Claire told her to be quick, knowing how much she wanted the freedom.

Eleanor never came back.

NOW – The time has finally come to sell the family farm and Claire is organising a reunion of her dearest friends, the same friends who were present the day her sister went missing.

When another girl disappears, long-buried secrets begin to surface. One of the group hides the darkest secret of them all…

The Reunion by Samantha Hayes was published by Bookouture on 6 February 2018, my thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review and who invited me to take part in this Blog Tour.

It's been a while since I read a book by Samantha Hayes and I was really looking forward to diving into The Reunion. It hasn't disappointed, I was gripped from page one and it's been a fast and furious journey through a story that is very well-written, with an intriguing plot and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader gripped.

Years ago, Claire allowed her younger sister Eleanor to go to the shop to buy an ice cream. Eleanor was thirteen-years-old, maybe not so young to pop to the shop by herself, but she was a little bit different. Eleanor had a trusting, gullible nature. She saw the good in everyone, had no sense of danger and their parents were overly protective of her. Claire regrets her actions. Eleanor went off, clutching her coins and was never seen again.

Eleanor's disappearance affected Claire and her family in many, tragic ways. Claire didn't take her place at University, her parents became sad and lost, her brother descended into a dark and dangerous place.

Claire's father is ill and it has been decided that it is finally time to sell their large house. Despite her sorrow about the loss of her childhood home, and yet another milestone for their broken family, Claire decides that it would be a good idea to host a reunion of all of the people that were involved on the day that Eleanor disappeared. Maybe it will help her father? Maybe it will help all of them.

Samantha Hayes has incorporated so many issues into The Reunion. It is packed with characters who are damaged and damaging. With themes of loss, guilt and darker issues that are quite unexpected, this is a story that keeps the reader on their toes. Despite the many storylines and the multiple characters, The Reunion is easy to follow and paced quite perfectly. Each new chapter brings another surprise and there are so many red herrings and misplaced clues along the way, I defy anyone to work out the ending before they turn the final pages.

I was totally hooked, very intrigued and most impressed by the writing style, the character creation and the wonderful sense of place. Great psychological thriller and recommended by me.

Samantha Hayes grew up in a creative family where her love of writing began as a child. 

Samantha has written eight thrillers in total, including the bestselling Until You’re Mine. The Independent said “fantastically written and very tense” while Good Housekeeping said “Her believable psychological thrillers are completely gripping.” Samantha’s books are published in 22 languages at the last count.

When not writing, Samantha loves to cook, go to the gym, see friends and drink nice wine. She is also studying for a degree in psychotherapy. She has three grown-up children and lives in Warwickshire. 

Find out more at www.samanthahayes.co.uk

Find her Author page on Facebook

Follow her on Twitter @samhayes