The Clearing by Simon Toyne

 

Women are going missing

Something deadly lurks in the forest around Cinderfield. Locals put the unusually high number of disappearances down to transients or runaways; some even blame the Cinderman, a figure of local legend rumoured to haunt the woods looking for unsuspecting victims.

Vanishing without a trace

Forensic specialist Laughton Rees doesn't believe in monsters. Already investigating the area's history of missing women, news of the latest 'runaway' Maddie Friar brings her to Cinderfield to find out the truth.

No one's talking

But, from the gruff leader of an off-grid commune to the mysterious Earl who presides over the crumbling abbey in the heart of the forest, everyone in Cinderfield has something to hide

But what lies in the shadows?

As Laughton searches for answers, with the help of DCI Tannahil Khan back in London, someone is watching - cataloguing her every move, prepared to do anything to keep their dark secrets from coming to light

I’ve never read any of Simon Toynes books before, my husband (who isn’t a reader) got halfway through Solomon Creed and loved it. So when I saw InstaBookTours doing a tour for this one I jumped at the chance. And I’m sso glad I did!

The prologue is only 3 pages long but boy did it have me hooked from the get go! Honestly, if you’re unsure on this one, get a sample and read those first 3 pages, you will want to read the rest! This book was creepy as hell, the chapters were short which helped as I kept wanting to read ‘just one more’, and ended up devouring the book over roughly 2 days. 

I loved the characters, Adele and Laughton being my favourites. The creepy side characters were interesting, and ‘the guy with no face’ weirded me out more than once! There were twists I didn’t see coming, some I did see, and some I thought I had figured out but turned out to be wrong! I will definitely go back and read the first book in the Laughton series, and I’d totally recommend this one to any thriller fan.

Thanks so much to InstaBookToursfor letting me join the tour, Harper Collins for my #gifted copy, and Simon Toyne for creeping me the hell out!