Title: The Next Girl
Author: Carla Kovach
First published April 2, 2018
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.94
Overview
He promised to protect her. He failed.
Charlotte Evans was thrilled to start her new job at a prestigious law firm. But after a late night at the office, she disappears without a trace.
The investigation goes cold and her family is left devastated.
Three years later, a young girl is rescued from a house fire. The girl, who is unable to speak, is rushed to the hospital where doctors discover something shocking – her DNA matches that of Charlotte.
As the police scramble to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance and the identity of the girl, they uncover dark secrets that threaten to destroy everything Charlotte held dear. Will they finally uncover the truth before it’s too late?
About the Author
Carla Kovach hails from Birmingham, UK, but currently lives in Redditch, Worcestershire. She’s a talented writer who’s penned various books across different genres.
If you’re into supernatural drama, ‘Flame’ is a great read. For psychological thrills, ‘To Let’ is a must-read, while ‘Whispers Beneath the Pines’ will leave you at the edge of your seat in suspense.
If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy, ‘Meet Me at Marmaris Castle’ is sure to tickle your fancy. Carla is also a playwright, with some of her works being produced in Worcestershire.
Her latest offering, ‘The Next Girl,’ is a novel that promises to be a page-turner. It’s currently available for preorder from Bookouture.
Editoral Review
Carla Kovach’s debut psychological thriller The Next Girl takes readers on a chilling journey into the twisted mind of a serial kidnapper. Published by Bookouture on April 2, 2018, this book is an engrossing and well-crafted thriller that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
The story revolves around Detective Gina Harte, who is investigating the disappearance of a young woman named Lottie Parker. With every clue leading to a dead end, Harte begins to suspect that there might be a serial kidnapper on the loose.
Meanwhile, a young woman named Paige is being held captive in a basement somewhere, with little hope of escape. Kovach’s writing style is clear and concise, with an emphasis on building tension and suspense.
The characters are well-drawn, with Harte being a particularly compelling protagonist. She is intelligent, determined, and compassionate, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she hunts for the missing women.
One of the strengths of The Next Girl is its use of multiple perspectives. As the story unfolds, readers get to see the kidnapper’s point of view as well as those of the detectives and the victims.
This adds an extra layer of complexity to the narrative and keeps readers guessing until the very end. The book also touches on some important themes, such as the impact of trauma on survivors, the dangers of online dating, and the pressure placed on law enforcement to solve high-profile cases.
These themes are woven seamlessly into the story and help to give the book greater depth and resonance. Overall, The Next Girl is a gripping and well-crafted thriller that is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
While there are certainly some flaws, such as the occasional predictability of certain plot points, these are outweighed by the book’s many strengths. Fans of psychological thrillers and crime fiction in general are sure to enjoy this book, as are readers interested in exploring important contemporary issues.
For those looking for a riveting, page-turning thriller, The Next Girl is definitely worth checking out. It is a well-crafted debut that holds promise for future works from Carla Kovach.
For these reasons, we give this book a rating of four out of five stars.