Burnt Paper Sky by Gilly Macmillan

Burnt Paper Sky

By Gilly Macmillan
Published by Little Brown Book Group UK (Kindle edition - 5 February 2015; Paperback - 27th August 2015)
ISBN: 978-0349406398

Publisher's description
Rachel Jenner turned her back for a moment. Now her eight-year-old son Ben is missing.
But what really happened that fateful afternoon?
Caught between her personal tragedy and a public who have turned against her, there is nobody left who Rachel can trust. But can the nation trust Rachel?
The clock is ticking to find Ben alive.


My verdict
I read Burnt Paper Sky in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. This very cleverly written psychological thriller follows the search for a missing boy through the eyes of his mother Rachel Jenner and also Jim Clemo, the police officer running the case. It taps into parents' biggest fears and worries - and the guilt they would feel if their child disappeared after leaving their sight for just a few moments. It's a story about finding the balance between protecting your child and giving them enough independence to grow and develop as an individual.

Filled with twists and turns, this brilliant debut flows from beginning to end. You can feel Rachel's anguish and Jim Clemo's frustration. At first there are few leads, but then more information comes to light as Jim Clemo searches the family background. The use of social media reports, television and newspapers adds to the tension and makes the story feel very real, as the nation responds to the case.

Burnt Paper Sky gets five stars from me, and I will be watching out for more books from Gilly Macmillan.

I received an Advance Reader Copy through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, and then also won a printed version through Goodreads.