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Girl in the Red Coat
Girl in the Red Coat | Kate Hamer
Costa Book Award for First Novel finalist Dagger Award finalist "Kate Hamer s gripping debut novelimmediately recalls the explosion of similarly titled books and movies, from Stieg Larsson s "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo "and its sequels, to "The Girl on the Train" to "Gone Girl" " Michiko Kakutani, "The New York Times" Keeps the reader turning pages at a frantic clip... What s most powerful here is not whodunnit, or even why, but how this mother and daughter bear their separation, and the stories they tell themselves to help endure it. Celeste Ng ("Everything I Never Told You") Compulsively readable...Beautifully written and unpredictable, I had to stop myself racing to the end to find out what happened. Rosamund Lupton ("Sister") Both gripping and sensitive beautifully written, it is a compulsive, aching story full of loss and redemption. Lisa Ballantyne ("The Guilty One)" "Hamer s dark tale of the lost and found is nearly impossible to put down. Booklist Newly single mom Beth has one constant, gnawing worry: that her dreamy eight-year-old daughter, Carmel, who has a tendency to wander off, will one day go missing. And then one day, it happens: On a Saturday morning thick with fog, Beth takes Carmel to a local outdoor festival, they get separated in the crowd, and Carmel is gone. Shattered, Beth sets herself on the grim and lonely mission to find her daughter, keeping on relentlessly even as the authorities tell her that Carmel may be gone for good. Carmel, meanwhile, is on a strange and harrowing journey of her own to a totally unexpected place that requires her to live by her wits, while trying desperately to keep in her head, at all times, a vision of her mother Alternating between Beth s story and Carmel s, and written in gripping prose that won t let go, The Girl in the Red Coat like Emma Donoghue s Room and M. L. Stedman s The Light Between Oceans is an utterly immersive story that simpossible to put down . . . and impossible to forget."
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VanessaCW
Pickpick

A beautifully written story about love, loss and survival. The voices of Carmel and Beth are very realistic. They are such resilient and determined characters. I was totally immersed in both Carmel‘s and Beth‘s journeys, there is an acute sense of Beth‘s angst and isolation and Carmel‘s bewilderment and her all abiding spirit. There is also a sense of unease throughout. A riveting and emotional read which I can highly recommend. #Pigeonhole

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VanessaCW
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valeriegeary
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Sunday plans. Go sports.

MicheleinPhilly How‘s his tummy? 4y
valeriegeary @MicheleinPhilly he seems to be improving. His energy's up and he's been hungry every day. We have about a week of chicken and rice diet before we can start adding in other things like his kibble but I'm feeling hopeful 4y
valeriegeary @MicheleinPhilly he's mad we're not giving him cheese snacks though.... He lives for cheese. 🧀 4y
MicheleinPhilly Glad to hear it! And I feel him on the cheese. #CheeseIsLife 4y
40 likes4 comments
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valeriegeary
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Currently reading. I think this works for a #booked2021 prompt! Hurrah! As always I'm behind with the challenge prompts. 🤦🏼‍♀️

45 likes2 stack adds
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ScarySandy
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Pickpick

Loved it didn't want it to end might need own copy as this ones from the library

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valeriegeary
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Prepping #booked2020! This will be the year I finally finish what I start! 🤞😬😂📚

But seriously... What is tartan noir???!

Sace Mystery with Scottish detective? 5y
Sace I don't know either. I just figured I'd figure it out later 😂 5y
valeriegeary @Sace 😆 something with a kilt on the cover?? I do like your idea about a Scottish mystery though.... 5y
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Marina_h I just signed up five minutes ago, and I'm wondering the same? I was hoping to see what others read and hopefully figure it at some point 😀 5y
valeriegeary @Marina_h with all of our brains combined we should be able to come up with something good! 🤗🤞 5y
AmyG Scottish mystery. I googled it because I had no clue either. 5y
valeriegeary @AmyG nice! I can handle that. I love a good overseas mystery! 🙌🧐🔎 5y
40 likes7 comments
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valeriegeary
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Happy Weekend Littens! My week was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Some disappointing news followed by an uplifting visit with a friend followed by a few days of really good writing & creative work followed by a trip to Goodwill for an ugly Christmas sweater which of course meant stopping by the book section where I couldn't resist these 4. So yes, the week started rough but ended just fine. What's new with you?

Eyelit Sorry to hear about the emotional rollercoaster! take good care. 💝 I really enjoyed Slade House! 5y
LiteraryinPA Hope your books help you relax after this emotional week! 5y
valeriegeary @Eyelit thank you! I'm feeling better already. 🤗 5y
valeriegeary @LiteraryinLititz books are the best medicine. ❤️ 5y
44 likes4 comments
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nikki.82
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11 likes1 stack add
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Carla
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Only this far in, but really enjoying it. Love Hamer‘s imagery.

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rebbyj
Panpan

Meh

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Traci1
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I love cold mornings when I can read by a cozy fire. And I'm enjoying the book far more than I expected I would. It's a good story, hard to put down, without being so tense it makes my stomach hurt.

#GonnaBeAGoodDay 🔥

CaroPi I have the same bookmark and I love it! 6y
Traci1 @CaroPi it's one of my favorites. 6y
100 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Nicki_K
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Pickpick

Loved this book 😍 a child goes missing....she grows up with her kidnappers a page turner about every parents worst fear.

3 likes1 stack add
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dawnsworldblog
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Pickpick

This isn‘t the thriller I was expecting it to be but I loved it regardless. I found the characters to be so well written and both the main characters very likeable. Only negative, I feel a little tiny bit cheated by the ending, I wish there had been even just one more page.

RadicalReader @dawnsworldblog what has been your all time favorite thriller you‘ve ever read and why? 6y
dawnsworldblog @RadicalReader oh tough one! I don‘t think I have a singular favourite thriller! I‘m a huge fan of all of Gillian Flynn‘s books, same with Paula Hawkins and Gilly MacMillan. I also love Tana French‘s Dublin Murder Squad Series! Do you have a favourite? 6y
RadicalReader I too love Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins thriller novels are terrific if they‘re well written love a good way of finding them here is searching the hashtag thriller 6y
5 likes3 comments
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Myhusbandhatesreading
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A girl abducted at 8 and brought up into some sort of evangelistic traveling group as a healer. It was slow paced and too far fetched for reality but not good enough for fantasy. 2 ⭐️ for me.

58 likes2 stack adds
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Myhusbandhatesreading
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Started this one last night

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glp4766
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Already have my book ready to start early Sunday morning...

6 likes1 stack add
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NerdyRev
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Pickpick

I remember reading Room and even though it was well written, there was a cramped tenseness that went along with the book. It felt like you needed a shower or a bag to breath into at points. There is a similar feeling with this one. It is tense as child abduction told from the child's perspective can be. It gets a bit weird with the Jesus stuff and I kept wondering, if Carmel is so gifted, why doesn't she seek out her truth? Need a between pick+so

25 likes1 stack add
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TorieStorieS
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Mehso-so

Well I unfortunately found this one to be rather disappointing- told in alternating perspectives of a mother and her kidnapped daughter, the premise was more interesting than its execution... #AudioBook #AudioColoring

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CitanjeSaStilom
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Sljedeca na redu...

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TheLudicReader
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I have been in yearbook advisor hell...but it's finished and now I can do my laundry & clean the bathroom & I dunno...read.

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JeaMar82
Panpan

I should have given up reading this one yesterday when I was 35% done and nothing interesting was happening. I really didn't enjoy this book but will give it 2.5 stars for the ending.

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JeaMar82

Still not as interesting as I would like but I'm 79% through it and have decided I'll finish it anyway.

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JeaMar82

Unless something interesting happens soon, I might have to give up on this book. 35% in...

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JeaMar82

Laying in bed while there is a snowstorm outside and starting this book. Hope I like it. 📚❄

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Alfoster
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On my TBR list. Anyone "red" it yet? I know...stupid pun...but seriously, is it good??
#17booklove #redbooks @jess.how

DivineDiana Not yet! But, I love the photo! 8y
SaturnDoo I read it last year. Imo, it starts off strong and then the story line became non-existent. But give it a whirl😊 you may like it. I gave it 2 stars. 8y
Alfoster @DivineDiana Thanks! @SaturnDoo Thanks too; I'll see if I like it but for now, put on the back burner based on your advice!👏 8y
EvieBee I liked it a lot! Very different from what I expected. 8y
Alfoster @EvieBee84 Thanks! I like "different"!? 8y
91 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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TrishB
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#17booklove #redbooks
@jess.how
Some red books for this lovely Friday morning 😀

JGadz11 Perfect timing for Chinese New Year last week! 👍🏼 8y
Peaceful_Reader Loved Girl at War! 8y
119 likes2 comments
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EvieBee
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Pickpick

What a lovely book! I thought this was a historical read about Europe during WWII...but I must have gotten the blurb mixed up with another book.

Centering on a mother and daughter who get separated when the child is abducted, the plot moves quickly from alternating perspectives. So emotionally raw and gripping. Would highly recommend. The plot twist was genius. I honestly never saw it coming. Full (spoiler free) review on Goodreads.

Cinfhen I have a booked stacked that might be what you were thinking 8y
Cinfhen Those damn girl in coat books 😂😂😂 8y
EvieBee @Cinfhen Hey! That's the book! Okay so I wasn't crazy lol 8y
Buddys_Momma Sounds 👍🏽 8y
EvieBee @Buddys_Momma It was such a ride. 😊 8y
75 likes10 stack adds5 comments
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EvieBee
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Wow. This book has taken a bizzaro turn, and I'm really enjoying it! Not at all what I imagined. #currentlyreading #theplotthickens

77 likes1 stack add
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EvieBee
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Just starting reading this book, which was on sale the other day, and I cannot put it down! One more chapter and then I need to clean house. Sigh. #currentlyreading #kindle

DebinHawaii I really liked this one. 👍📚 8y
EvieBee @DebinHawaii Deb, I'm so glad! Loving the dual accounts of same incident. 8y
Alfoster Oh good, I bought it too!! 8y
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AThousandLives87 I'm not addicted. I can put it down right after I'm done with this next chapter! Says every reader, ever. 8y
EvieBee @Alfoster So good! Normally $3.99 hurts but this will be worth it. Just know it! 8y
EvieBee @AThousandLives87 Hahaha! So true. Here I am four chapters later. 8y
67 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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pinkpygmypuffs
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Am I the only one who likes to download kindle samples before making a decision to purchase? (Even when books are in sale) 😁

::dreaming of wandering around Diagon Alley for new books::

webhau1 I like to look at the sample. I also like to listen to the sample on audio books 😉 8y
Jinjer What a beautiful colorful street in that picture!!!! I need to go there!!!!'😳 8y
23 likes2 comments
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ItsAnotherJen
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"I have a strange image of the two of us. That all these years we were tiny insects and the world was made of a huge beast – some kind of cattle. That we roamed and roamed across its back and even climbed up, one on the tip of each horn, and from there we tried to wave to each other. But being tiny we could not see, and the chasm was too great, and there wasn‘t anything that could bridge that gap."

Nebklvr Ooookkkk..... 8y
DebinHawaii I really liked this one! 📚❤️ 8y
ItsAnotherJen I liked this better than I thought I would after reading some bad reviews! @DebinHawaii Doesn't the quote make sense? @Nebklvr Lol I liked it...its good imagery. 8y
12 likes3 comments
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BibliOphelia
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Pickpick

I started out a bit doubtful, but it may have been the audio format and the reader. It turns out that this is an engaging book with a protagonist that stands out from the crowd. It's suspenseful, touching, and focuses on the bonds of family, especially the mother-daughter relationship. I'd be curious to see if I'd have enjoyed reading it even more, although I'll admit it had me looking forward to getting into the car!

17 likes2 stack adds
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DebinHawaii
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Pickpick

Day5 #booktober #debutnovels I'm going to make this debut novel my #recommendsday pick too. Suspenseful story of a missing girl & the mother desperately looking for her. What sets it apart from other missing child stories is the misty, almost fairytale feel to Carmel, who goes missing from a storytelling festival. Told from the POV of mother & child, in past & present, it's an absorbing story. W/Vanilla Date Caramel in my blog review-link below👍

PNWBookseller85 I think I'd like to come read at your house and have you cook for me. If you don't mind. 😜 8y
LeahBergen Oh, yum! 8y
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BethFishReads Ohhhhh I need to give that (recipe) a try 8y
DebinHawaii @BeckyMerilatt Come on over! 😀👍 8y
DebinHawaii @LeahBergen @BethFishReads It's pretty good for just a few ingredients & fast and easy to make. 👍 8y
84 likes6 stack adds6 comments
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kaykay521
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130 pages in and this is getting more and more interesting...bedtime might come late for me tonight #thedangersofbedtimereading

MrBook Welcome to @Litsy ! We hope you enjoy your stay, I think you'll like it here 😎👍🏻. 8y
Chessa Welcome to Litsy! ❤️📚 8y
DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy! 🎉📚👍 8y
PurpleyPumpkin Glad to have another book lover on Litsy. Welcome!😉 8y
23 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Chocamanda
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Pickpick

This book is heartbreaking! It reminded me of Emma Donoghue's Room. Girl In The Red Coat made me feel so upset at times that I wanted to stop. I kept on though, and I have no regrets. Carmel is a wonderful character, and different readers will have different ideas about who she is. Angel? Synesthete? Shaman? Or just a flighty little girl?

DebinHawaii I liked this one a lot!👍 8y
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BibliOphelia
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Today I had an epiphany and a quandry in my quest to like audio books. When LISTENING to a suspenseful book, I have no control over how quickly the words come, I can't squinch my eyes up while reading them, and this makes it all the more frightening. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

BookHermit Both. I can't tell you how many odd looks I get from my husband when I'm listening to audiobooks with earbuds. Whenever I gasp he assumes I've hurt myself or set fire to the house. 8y
BibliOphelia @BookHermit lol, same with my hubby, but even when ai'm reading catalogues. I may be a bit reactive 😳 8y
10 likes2 comments
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BibliOphelia
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I have never taken to audiobooks but am making another effort. Picked this as I thought it might be quick-moving and engaging, which it is so far. For whatever reason, I just have such a hard time with people 'doing' voices. I guess I haven't found that perfect narrator yet.

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Whatshereadnext
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Panpan

Didn't enjoy this one! The beginning was promising and I liked the mystery surrounding Carmel and her 'abilities' but the story was all over the place and some interesting characters and plot lines are over looked. Really disappointed with the ending too 😒

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SealedWithInk
Mehso-so

*** stars. There was times where I was tempted to give up but I'm glad I decided to push through.

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SealedWithInk
Mehso-so

*** stars. There was times where I was tempted to give up but I'm glad I decided to push through.

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SealedWithInk
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Getting my hair done this morning. This should keep my entertained whilst at the hairdressers, amongst other things too.

9 likes1 stack add
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Skeeterisme
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Pickpick

Knew I would love it from the cover. The inside didn't let me down.

1 like1 stack add
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hughes

Listened to the audio while taking care of mundane chores. A truly despicable antagonist, and sensitive descriptions of aching loss which makes up for some holes in the narrative.

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Kathyd
Pickpick

Interesting story of what can happen when you turn your back.

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kemnyc
This post contains spoilers
show me
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This is an engaging psychological thriller switching between audiobook and ebook. It's one view of what happens when a child goes missing shown from two perspectives. And it fits my preference for a happy ending though we know most missing child stories are not resolved to a happy end.

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Daniellesbooks1
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Weekend reading 📖

5 likes2 stack adds
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sumaiyya.books
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Wow, loving this thriller! I couldn't have picked a better book to read right now! The child narrator in this is not annoying at all, which is kind of great to know.

22 likes7 stack adds