The Shut Eye

Five-year-old Daniel Buck disappears without a trace, leaving his mother Anna desperate for answers. DI Marvel, the detective assigned to the case, faces pressure to solve both Daniel's disappearance and a string of missing persons cases that have plagued the area. Anna becomes fixated on a psychic named Richard Latham who claims he can help find missing people through his visions. Meanwhile, DI Marvel remains skeptical of supernatural methods and continues his conventional police investigation, creating tension between different approaches to finding the truth. The story moves between Anna's growing obsession with psychic phenomena and Marvel's dogged police work, while also exploring the impact of loss on a family and community. The intersection of rational and irrational beliefs drives the plot forward as the characters search for answers. The novel examines themes of grief, hope, and the lengths people will go to when faced with devastating uncertainty. It raises questions about faith versus skepticism and whether comfort can be found in unconventional beliefs during times of crisis.

Readers call this crime novel unpredictable with compelling characters, particularly noting detective John Marvel's complexity. Many reviews emphasize the book's emotional depth in exploring grief and loss. Readers liked: - The psychic elements blending with police procedural - Multiple interweaving storylines - Strong character development - Dark humor throughout - Fast pacing and short chapters Common criticisms: - Confusing timeline jumps - Too many subplots left unresolved - Ending felt rushed to some readers - Some found the psychic elements unconvincing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (850+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.1/5 (200+ ratings) One reader noted: "The balance between supernatural and detective work keeps you guessing until the end." Another stated: "The parallel stories don't quite come together satisfyingly." Several reviews mention struggling with the first 50 pages before becoming invested in the story.

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🔍 Author Belinda Bauer worked as a journalist and screenwriter before becoming a crime novelist 🌟 The title "Shut Eye" refers to psychic abilities, specifically when a person can see visions while sleeping 📚 The book weaves together two missing children cases: a recent disappearance and one from five years ago 🏆 Belinda Bauer won the Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger Award for her debut novel "Blacklands" 🎬 Before writing novels, Bauer's screenplay "The Locker Room" won the Carl Foreman/BAFTA Award for Young British Screenwriters