Finding Sophie

I am so glad that I read the author’s profile written inside the back cover before I began reading this book. ‘Imran Mahmood is a Barrister with thirty years experience fighting cases in courtrooms across the country.’ From the first two pages of this book which form chapter one, Imran makes sure his readers are comfortable with and understand the courtroom scene. A scene that will be revisited every ten chapters or so. Most of the chapters are short just a few pages long. The book is quite methodical in its layout and because of this your easily transported from each of the parents stories, the past and the present. The breaks in the parents stories and the chapters on ‘the now’ in the courtroom are welcome breathing places in this harrowing story that is sadly a story that makes you think about what parents go through when a child goes missing.

The chapters are interspersed with Harry and Zara’s stories about the seventeen years that Sophie has been missing and their search for her. The lengths that they went through in their search. It is a very emotional engaging read that keeps you guessing about what happened to Sophie? What really happened with the suspicious neighbour? Was he involved with Sophie’s disappearance and what does he have to hide? I found it a disturbing read that you know you just have to read on and engage with. I found myself willing that the outcome would be this or that. The outcome that I hoped for, for each of the characters including Sophie. I also found myself as I read, wondering what I would do if I was involved in such a scenario?

The book begins with two quotation’s, one from Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Despair. The second quotation I found very moving from the Quran and when I looked into it further, this section that it is quoted from comes from a section entitled, ‘The opening up of the heart’. This novel certainly does this, it opens up your heart and moves you through the stages of despair and hope and back and forth as would a real life event such as the experience that the novel is based upon. It’s certainly a rollercoaster ride and the final part of the story is not what you might expect and again has you thinking about what survivors go through.
I am purposely trying not to include any spoilers in my review but I hope that you will be encouraged to read this very engaging novel. It can’t be described as entertaining that would denigrate the content. It is certainly educational, informative and inspiring in an area that’s all too relevant in real life. The author enables you to engage with a difficult subject in a safe and dare I say enjoyable way. I certainly feel grateful that I have had the opportunity to read this book.

What did you like about the book?
Really good juxtaposition of what is happening in court with the unfolding story from earlier times as told from the different perspectives of Harry and Zara, Sophie’s parents. Someone was telling their story from the courtroom but we had no idea who it was for quite a chunk of the book.
Situation very moving, the author painted a compelling picture of the desperation of the parents trying to find their daughter. Lots of twists and turns to the plot, for the most part kept the suspense level high.

Which themes from the book did you enjoy?
The almost unsurmountable difficulties for everyone left behind when someone goes missing. Did she run away, has she been abducted? The fact that everything goes quiet after a while and the parents are left in limbo, which pushes them to do desperate things. The technicalities of the trial as to what can be prosecuted and what cannot. The way the picture/plot unfolded as a slow burn to reflect how it must have felt to those involved – although I thought it went on too long in places.

How did this book make you feel?
Surprised at some of the twists, desperate most of the time as to what the two parents were going through. Confused as to what was going on.

Who would you recommend this book to?
Anyone who wanted to read an unusual courtroom drama with lots of twists and turns and to understand the perspective of two desperate parents. It could be anyone.

This book really takes you on the run with the emotions. This felt like an extended episode of law-and-order suv. They often deal with alot of missing peoples cases and courtroom drama.

The Author did an excellent job in portraying the parent’s emotions as their daughter is missing.it really goes to show that parents will do anything for their child's wellbeing.

It did have a slow burn in the beginning in picking up the story, but eventually it started picking up the pace and going into more detail.

It's a thriller and also a legal thriller at the same time. The courtroom drama certainly had me on edge. My favourite part of the book was the build-up to the main climax or the story.

Totally recommend this.

- Amaara

A missing child, a seventeen year old. Every parent’s worst nightmare, but this is not your usual missing child, gets found book.
As a reader, I was totally invested in Harry and Zara, and how they set about handling the awful situation, they had found themselves in.

Harry couldn’t even utter his daughter’s name, and he became totally obsessed with finding the perpetrator. Zara on the other hand, gained support from her faith, but she too was equally determined to find out what had actually lead to her daughter’s disappearance. Sadly rather than uniting in their search, they became isolated from each other in their anguish.

I found the second half, full of suspense, it was never obvious what they were going to do next, their desperation was tangible.

It was dark, and often disturbing, a real thriller.

I found the references to our justice system, very informative and enlightening. It definitely shaped the outcome of the story.

I was given this ARC by Coundon Library Book Club, in exchange for a review.
It is the first book I have read by Imran Mahmood , but it certainly won’t be my last, I can’t wait to read another book by this author.

Reviews from our reading group so far:

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

"5/5 - Brilliant Thriller and author. The book shows the nightmare parents go through when their child disappears and not knowing what happened to their loved ones. As I read the book, it was hard to put it down until you know what is happening next. When I was going through the storyline regarding how parents were conducting door-to-door checking, one house owner didn't respond to them even though he was inside. In my dream that night, I dreamt that our neighbour's house was empty with less interaction, i dreamt as if Sophie was hidden in the wall of their house and I got so scared. This made me wonder how the story will unfold. The story ending was not what I expected. As parents, you should never give up on looking for their loved ones."

"3.5 - I enjoyed the back and forth structure of the book and I liked seeing the story from the perspective of the two main characters. I felt there were parts of the book that were slightly repetitive but it definitely showed the impact that hysteria can have on a rational human being."

"1/5 - The title of the novel and back cover 'taster' appealed to me thinking it would be a gripping read as it was written by a barrister whom I thought would bring an edge and drama to the written word.

On the contrary!

Initially I was intrigued as to how the story would unfold, but very soon into the book I felt like it was going round in circles. Very brief chapters and very repetitive. The storyline did not have much depth and the preoccupation with the suspected neighbour at number 210 and what Harry undertook in his attempts to uncover where he thought his daughter was were not believable.
In addition the sub story with Katya did not add any value and again went nowhere.

I became so bored that I ended up reading the last few pages but did not feel it was worth the bother."

Our group was lucky enough to receive this book and these are the reviews I have received.

This isn't the normal type of genre I read however it really gripped me. I thought it was an engaging read.

I don't usually read thrillers but I did enjoy this book. It was fast paced,and the short chapters kept it moving. There were a lot of twists and turns. It was an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this book and the story told from Harry then Zara's point of view. I couldn't wait to find out how it played out.

It was well written.
•The story held lots of suspense. Usually I have a good idea of an outcome before it is revealed. In this case suspense continued to the end; the ending being a total surprise.
•The author was very good at developing the characters, none of whom were actually very likeable. The main protagonists behaved appallingly. Had the author researched the devastating effect of living the nightmare of a disappeared child?
•Parts of the story seemed a bit surreal at times- a bit implausible
•The technique of switching between the courtroom and past events was at times stilted but the gradual revelation of who was in the dock was clever.

Once finished I gave it to my friend and she is very much enjoying reading it.