Emma Rowley

Very interesting look into how much is involved in producing a show such as Downton Abbey.

FROM AMAZON: Expertly crafted with generous inside knowledge and facts, Emma Rowley's Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey delves into the inspiration behind the details seen on screen, the choice of locations, the music and much more. Step inside the props cupboard or the hair and make-up truck and catch a glimpse of the secret backstage world.

In-depth interviews and exclusive photos give insight into the actors' experiences on set as well as the celebrated creative team behind the award-winning drama. Straight from the director's chair, this is the inside track on all aspects of the making of the show.… (more)

Dieses Buch habe ich spontan ausgeliehen und es nicht bereut.
Aus der Sicht ihrer Mutter wird das Verschwinden einer Jugendlichen vor zwei Jahren geschildert. Es ist nie geklärt worden, was genau passiert ist, aber da sie Postkarten als Lebenszeichen geschickt hat, wurde der Fall auf Eis gelegt und sie als offensichtliche Ausreißerin abgestempelt. Das Umfeld der Mutter schwankt zwischen Mitgefühl für sie und dem Wunsch, dass sie doch endlich "darüber hinweg" kommen solle und ein normales Leben führen solle. Ihre Ehe ist an der Situation zerbrochen, der Mann hat sich rasch neuen Liebschaften zugewandt. Als sie nun wie so häufig samstags in einer Hotline für Ausreißer arbeitet, die ihren Familien ein Lebenszeichen zukommen lassen wollen, nimmt sie einen Anruf entgegen, der offensichtlich von ihrer Tochter stammt - und sie beginnt erneut, gegen allen Widerstand in ihrem Umfeld und auch von Seiten der Polizei - nach ihr zu suchen.

Der Roman ist ein gelungener, geschickt konstruierter Thriller, der mit angenehm wenig Actionszenen und kaum körperlicher Gewalt auskommt. Die Gefühle der Mutter sind gut geschildert, im Verlauf des Buches habe ich als Leser immer wieder überlegt, ob die Mutter vielleicht doch durch die immense psychische Belastung den Bezug zur Realität verloren hat. Das Ende ist gelungen, nicht vorhersehbar, aber stimmig.… (more)

This is an amazing debut; I am simultaneously gobsmacked that it is Emma Rowley's debut novel and salivating at the prospect of what she might write next. How on earth do you follow such a fantastic novel? That's a problem for Emma Rowley to figure out but what a wonderful problem to have.

Kate's life was devastated when her daughter, Sophie, went missing. Everyone feared the worst but then the postcards started to arrive and it looked like Sophie had run away from home. Case closed as far as the police are concerned but Kate has never given up hope of being reunited with Sophie. Kate copes with her situation by volunteering at Message in a Bottle, a missing persons helpline so she can help other people in the same position as herself. One night Kate receives a call from a young woman who wants to pass a message to her family. There's nothing unusual about that, except that the caller is Sophie and the message is for Kate. Before Kate realises what's happening, Sophie has hung up the phone but it's enough to get the police interested in her case again.

Kate isn't content with the police investigation and can't help herself from doing a bit of investigation herself. As she looks at the old postcards she has received from Sophie over the years, she wonders if there's a clue hidden in them. The writing is definitely Sophie's but the tone of the writing isn't right then Kate spots something familiar that may be the key to the whole missing persons case.

I know I've already said that this is an amazing debut, but seriously take note: Emma Rowley is definitely one to watch. She is immensely talented to write such a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that draws the reader in immediately and gives them no opportunity to pause for breath. I don't think anyone will be able to work this one out before the end; I was guilty of thinking I knew what was going to happen only for Emma Rowley to very successfully pull the rug from underneath me.

Where The Missing Go is BRILLIANT! Yes, the capital letters are intentional: I'm shouting it's brilliance to the world and applauding the fabulous new talent of Emma Rowley. Take a bow and enjoy your success, Emma; I'm sure we're going to see your books at the top of the charts for many years to come.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.… (more)