Close to Home

Close to Home follows Detective Inspector Adam Fawley as he investigates the disappearance of eight-year-old Daisy Mason after a family barbecue in Oxford. The case attracts intense media scrutiny and public speculation about the seemingly perfect Mason family. The investigation weaves through multiple perspectives and formats, including police interviews, social media posts, news reports, and DI Fawley's first-person narrative. As secrets emerge about Daisy's home life and her parents' marriage, the list of suspects grows while time runs out to find the missing girl. The story examines themes of social media's impact on criminal cases and the disparity between public personas and private realities. Hunter's debut crime novel raises questions about family dynamics and the ways tragedy can expose the cracks in seemingly stable relationships.

Readers found this police procedural engaging, with many highlighting the realistic portrayal of modern investigative techniques and social media's role in criminal cases. The multiple narrative formats - including tweets, news articles, and interview transcripts - received praise for adding authenticity. Readers appreciated: - Fast pacing and tight plotting - Complex characters, especially DI Adam Fawley - Integration of current technology and online behavior - Believable police procedures Common criticisms: - Too many characters to track initially - Some found the social media elements distracting - Several readers predicted the ending early Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (31,000+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Reader quote: "The format makes it feel like you're actually working alongside the investigation team" - Amazon reviewer Some readers noted the book requires attention to detail to follow all plot threads and character connections.

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Little Face by Sophie Hannah A mother claims her baby has been replaced with another, leading detectives through layers of family dysfunction and psychological suspense.

In the Woods by Tana French A murder detective must solve a child's death that mirrors his own childhood trauma in the same woods where his friends disappeared.

Silent Scream by Angela Marsons A detective uncovers links between current murders and the victims' connections to an old children's home where bodies are discovered.

🔍 Author Cara Hunter worked closely with Thames Valley Police while researching the book to ensure authentic police procedural details. 📚 Close to Home launched the DI Adam Fawley series, which has since sold over a million copies worldwide. 🏰 The book is set in Oxford, England, and incorporates real locations and landmarks that locals can recognize throughout the story. 💻 Social media plays a crucial role in the narrative, with Hunter incorporating fictional tweets, Facebook posts, and news articles to add layers to the investigation. 🎧 The audiobook version features multiple narrators to bring the different media elements and character perspectives to life, creating an immersive listening experience.