Emma in the Night: A Novel

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller by Wendy Walker. It is riveting from the beginning and hard to put down. Some complex characters, some that I liked and some I did not, especially Mrs. Martin, the narcissistic mother of Emma and Cass, and a very interesting story line that was not predictable at all and that kept me guessing. Although there were a couple of things I did figure out, the ending was a surprise and totally not what I expected. If you enjoy reading books with many twists and turns that will keep you captivated for hours, then definitely read Emma in the Night!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! It reminded me a little of Lauren Oliver's Vanishing Girls (which I also loved). It wasn't exactly a thriller, but it was intensely psychological, which is what I enjoyed. The author dropped enough hints to make me suspect the final scenario, but I wasn't totally sure until the final pages. My heart was literally pounding when I turned the final pages. Those are the best types of books!

There were a few lingering questions I had...they didn't get resolved by the meager bites in the final chapter. Still, it was enough to give me a bit of closure so that I could finally sleep.

Wendy Walker has done it again and is quickly becoming one of my "go to" authors. Emma in the Night is deliciously deceptive and I could not put this book down. Right from the very first page, I was drawn into Cass's story. The tale she weaves is dark, twisted and horrifying and I could not get enough.

The blurb tells you everything you need to know and I highly suggest that you let Cass tell you the rest. Don't read too much about it, don't read any spoilers, just lose yourself in the masterful storytelling of this book. The characters are well developed and the story moves along at a very fast pace.

I highly recommend this book.

This book has gotten a lot of publicity , but it falls way short of her previous novel All is Not Forgotten. Initially, I thought the style would draw me in, but it became repetitious and boring. I was not invested in the characters and actually ended up skipping to the end after reading halfway to see if that would change my mind. Unfortunately, it did not. Because much of the novel is based on the mother having a narcissistic personality disorder, I felt that the author had done her homework but was laying out the information as if she was doing a research paper, trying to put in her academic information that she had gleaned wherever she could. This just didn't work for me.

The problem with these psychological thrillers is that you KNOW the narrator is unreliable, so you spend the whole book distrusting what they say. It wrongfoots you as you read. On the other hand, uncomfy is exactly how you ought to feel when reading books of this type, so that often works out pretty well. It certainly did for this one. I spent the whole book feeling a little bit off-balance and a little bit disturbed. It was quite a trip, trying to stay a step ahead of the action. Which I admit I wasn't able to -- the ending, when it came, was a complete surprise. Bravo!

A fascinating read and certainly not your typical psychological thriller. Two sisters disappear and three years later only one, Cass returns. As a psychologist tries to find out from Cass what happened the truth proves hard to discover and just as you would think one aspect was solved the author throws in another twist and the story changes again. The ending was unexpected and although the whole story with its delving into narcissism and the way the disorder can affect a whole family was disturbing in many ways it kept me intrigued right up to the last page.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

Emma has vanished and hasn't been seen for 3 years.

I was really enjoying the beginning of the book and was interested in the premise (a kidnapping, a mystical abandoned island, secrets ), but then at about 50% the story seemed to repeat itself and the conversations were too in depth to keep my interest up!

It was like reading about an episode on Dr. Phil and then I was just bored. I just wanted the book to be more interesting!

In the end, we learn about Emma and find out about the motives for the different players in the story. It was quite a revealing ending, but ultimately I had lost interest.

Emma in the Night was an edge of your seat thriller written in a style similar to Girl on the Train. Cass and Emma disappears for three years and then Cass returns home with a fantastical story. Dr. Winter fixates on Cass's mom narcissistic personality disorder and plays catch up as the whole story begins to unfold. Throughout the whole book, Cass draws you into her story but leaves you feeling that its not what really happened. The author weaves a story of smart lead characters following twists and turns to a surprising ending. I will be adding Wendy Walker to my must read authors. My voluntary review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

What is truth and what is fiction. Enter the dark world of Cassie and Emma to find out. Both girls go missing on the same night. Three years later only one returns. What happened to Emma? Can we believe Cass's outrageous story? Or is it just that, a story? A very well written psychological suspense that keeps you guessing. Told in two different voices (Cass and Dr. Winter, the FBI agent on the case), the truth unfolds little by little leaving the reader turning the pages faster and faster to find out what really happened. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emma in the night by Wendy Walker for me was a 2.5 star read.
I really wanted to like this book but I struggled terribly with it, it was difficult in some places when we were finding out about the girls family life, it took a long time for me to get into it and at points I wanted to just give up but the reader in me had to know how it ended. Just because this book wasn’t for me doesn’t mean someone won’t enjoy it so for this I do recommend you try it for yourself.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley.

.This review is actually a difficult review to write.

The story is based on the Tanner sisters, Emma and Cass. Both go missing on the same night but only one comes back in the form of Cass three years later. Back to her mother's doorstep, alone, dirty and saying very little. When the girls disappeared Emma's car was found abandoned on the beach with her personal effects inside and her shoes laying nearby. Conclusions were drawn about Emma but Cass's disappearance remained a mystery.

On her return, Cass is saying very little and Dr Winter, a psychological therapist working alongside the FBI works with Cass in trying to uncover what happened on that eventful night and indeed where has she been for three years.

What follows is a fairly slow placed story told from Cass's viewpoint and Dr Winter's. It was interesting look into narcissism (the mother) and how her actions impacted on both sisters. I can understand why the book is not for everyone. It did veer off into slightly ridiculous territory and I had kind of worked out the end before it came. Nevertheless the book as a whole kept me fairly well gripped, enough to warrant the four star rating so would have no hesitation in recommending this one. Just be prepared for some disturbing psychological behaviour from the mother. What a character!

Thank you to those for my ARC.

One evening Emma and her 15 year old sister, Cassandra disappeared. Cassandra returned home 3 years later. This book starts with Cassandra's return.

It was an interesting story, but written in a way that was very confusing. The story jumped around from present day to past without warning. Also changing from Cassandra's thoughts to Dr. Winter's thoughts, also without warning. The use of he and she instead of using the person's name added to the confusion.

We finally learn the truth at the end, but getting there was exhausting.

Talk about dysfunctional! This is less a thriller than a tale of a family which is just so messed up. Cass and Emma both disappear but only Cass comes back. Why? Can't tell you because of spoilers. This is a easy plot driven quick read where you'll periodically want to just shake your head. Abby is terrific and this novel would not have been as good if she hadn't been written so well. The shifting time lines and viewpoints were periodically distracting but that does contribute to the sense of unease you'll feel. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this one for a good read.

This review is for the kindle edition. Teenage sisters, Emma and Cass, disappeared three years ago. One day Cass turns up on her mothers doorstep on her own. She has a bizarre story about the last few years, saying her and Emma were living on a small island with another couple. Emma was pregnant when they left and when she had the baby the other couple took over it's care. Cass says she has escaped the island and has to get back there to rescue Emma and her child. The book was ok but sometimes read like non-fiction. There were no characters that I liked, either.

This book is about two teen sisters who suddenly go missing, and their convoluted family. Only one girl returns and this book is all about finding Emma. If you are a fan of page-turner thrillers and mysteries, read this book!! It has been a long time since I've read a book where I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happens. There are so many twists and turns, and then when you think you've got it figured out there are even more twists and turns. I loved the psychological aspect of this book, with great insight into true narcissistic personality disorder. I will definitely be looking for more from this wonderful author!!

Two teen sisters disappear on the same night but under different circumstances and the case remains unresolved. Three years later, the younger sister shows up at her mother's doorstep. The story that unfolds as she's interviewed by investigators is precise in its details except for some telling inconsistencies. Pertinent details of Cass and Emma's life before their disappearance is slowly pieced together by an investigator tormented by her own demons. Bit by bit, the reader finds out what really happened that night and in the three years after.

This is the story of Cass and Emma, two sisters who went missing three years ago, then one day Cass turns up on her mother's doorstep without Emma, can the authorities find her with the information Cass gives them, is she telling them the truth and will they be able to bring her home where she belongs.

I read Wendy Walkers first book, All is not Forgotten, and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this one. Whilst I found this one very intriguing and had to find out what had happened to the girls, I enjoyed her first book more.

Some major ups and downs, but basically two girls vanish, and one girl returns. Three years have passed, and Cass is home, but Emma, she is still missing. This reopens a very cold case, based on Cass's testimony. Mommy dearest is a narcissist of the highest order. If you have ever been around a narcissist, this book nailed them. It can be really slow, with a different type or writing style, but I still had to read it all.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

Emma In the Night is a captivating thriller that appeals to all who love a great psychological drama a la Paula Hawkins. I was lost to my wife after reading the first ten pages. Two sisters disappear, Emma and Cass. Three years later Cass reappears sans Emma. Cass begs and pleads for help to find her missing sister. This novel is more than a story about missing children. It deals with interpersonal and familial relationships, abuse, and fear. Throw in a little self-love to an unhealth point and you have the ingredients for a compelling read.

Read this in one sitting! Cass is a brilliant protagonist, and this is one amazing piece of thriller fiction. So many red herrings that you won't know who to believe. I wish I could go back in time and read this for the first time again. Needless to say, I went to bed late in the morning hours. The chapters change viewpoints and you'll never guess where this is going. Cass and her sister Emma have been missing for three years. Now Cass has returned and desperate to find her sister. You've gotta read this!

Emma has vanished and hasn't been seen for 3 years.

I was really enjoying the beginning of the book and was interested in the premise (a kidnapping, a mystical abandoned island, secrets ), but then at about 50% the story seemed to repeat itself and the conversations were too in depth to keep my interest up!

It was like reading about an episode on Dr. Phil and then I was just bored. I just wanted the book to be more interesting!

In the end, we learn about Emma and find out about the motives for the different players in the story. It was quite a revealing ending, but ultimately I had lost interest.

Emma in the Night was an edge of your seat thriller written in a style similar to Girl on the Train. Cass and Emma disappears for three years and then Cass returns home with a fantastical story. Dr. Winter fixates on Cass's mom narcissistic personality disorder and plays catch up as the whole story begins to unfold. Throughout the whole book, Cass draws you into her story but leaves you feeling that its not what really happened. The author weaves a story of smart lead characters following twists and turns to a surprising ending. I will be adding Wendy Walker to my must read authors. My voluntary review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

What is truth and what is fiction. Enter the dark world of Cassie and Emma to find out. Both girls go missing on the same night. Three years later only one returns. What happened to Emma? Can we believe Cass's outrageous story? Or is it just that, a story? A very well written psychological suspense that keeps you guessing. Told in two different voices (Cass and Dr. Winter, the FBI agent on the case), the truth unfolds little by little leaving the reader turning the pages faster and faster to find out what really happened. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emma in the night by Wendy Walker for me was a 2.5 star read.
I really wanted to like this book but I struggled terribly with it, it was difficult in some places when we were finding out about the girls family life, it took a long time for me to get into it and at points I wanted to just give up but the reader in me had to know how it ended. Just because this book wasn’t for me doesn’t mean someone won’t enjoy it so for this I do recommend you try it for yourself.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley.

This was a stunning book, full of twists and turns that left me questioning at times. The portrayal of Narcissistic Personality Disorder was quite well done, not at all sensationalized or presented in a light manner can often be the case. The characters are believable with the exception of the father. The story moves along and keeps you very engaged until the very end. Hugely enjoyable read.

This is an honest review in exchange for an advance copy from NetGalley.

.This review is actually a difficult review to write.

The story is based on the Tanner sisters, Emma and Cass. Both go missing on the same night but only one comes back in the form of Cass three years later. Back to her mother's doorstep, alone, dirty and saying very little. When the girls disappeared Emma's car was found abandoned on the beach with her personal effects inside and her shoes laying nearby. Conclusions were drawn about Emma but Cass's disappearance remained a mystery.

On her return, Cass is saying very little and Dr Winter, a psychological therapist working alongside the FBI works with Cass in trying to uncover what happened on that eventful night and indeed where has she been for three years.

What follows is a fairly slow placed story told from Cass's viewpoint and Dr Winter's. It was interesting look into narcissism (the mother) and how her actions impacted on both sisters. I can understand why the book is not for everyone. It did veer off into slightly ridiculous territory and I had kind of worked out the end before it came. Nevertheless the book as a whole kept me fairly well gripped, enough to warrant the four star rating so would have no hesitation in recommending this one. Just be prepared for some disturbing psychological behaviour from the mother. What a character!

Thank you to those for my ARC.

If you want a heart stopping, mystery with dark twists, this is it!
How do two sister's disappear for three years and then one reappears with the story, and mystery of where they were and her sister still is? Why?
Her Mother has moved on and so has the rest of the family and are almost upset to see her reappear after all this time
Whose to blame.
There is no way to predict what ensues as this story progresses and it kept me on my toes and kept my attention all the way through the chapters!

I received this book as a gift and have provided and honest review!

One evening Emma and her 15 year old sister, Cassandra disappeared. Cassandra returned home 3 years later. This book starts with Cassandra's return.

It was an interesting story, but written in a way that was very confusing. The story jumped around from present day to past without warning. Also changing from Cassandra's thoughts to Dr. Winter's thoughts, also without warning. The use of he and she instead of using the person's name added to the confusion.

We finally learn the truth at the end, but getting there was exhausting.

Talk about dysfunctional! This is less a thriller than a tale of a family which is just so messed up. Cass and Emma both disappear but only Cass comes back. Why? Can't tell you because of spoilers. This is a easy plot driven quick read where you'll periodically want to just shake your head. Abby is terrific and this novel would not have been as good if she hadn't been written so well. The shifting time lines and viewpoints were periodically distracting but that does contribute to the sense of unease you'll feel. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this one for a good read.

This review is for the kindle edition. Teenage sisters, Emma and Cass, disappeared three years ago. One day Cass turns up on her mothers doorstep on her own. She has a bizarre story about the last few years, saying her and Emma were living on a small island with another couple. Emma was pregnant when they left and when she had the baby the other couple took over it's care. Cass says she has escaped the island and has to get back there to rescue Emma and her child. The book was ok but sometimes read like non-fiction. There were no characters that I liked, either.

This book is about two teen sisters who suddenly go missing, and their convoluted family. Only one girl returns and this book is all about finding Emma. If you are a fan of page-turner thrillers and mysteries, read this book!! It has been a long time since I've read a book where I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happens. There are so many twists and turns, and then when you think you've got it figured out there are even more twists and turns. I loved the psychological aspect of this book, with great insight into true narcissistic personality disorder. I will definitely be looking for more from this wonderful author!!

Two teen sisters disappear on the same night but under different circumstances and the case remains unresolved. Three years later, the younger sister shows up at her mother's doorstep. The story that unfolds as she's interviewed by investigators is precise in its details except for some telling inconsistencies. Pertinent details of Cass and Emma's life before their disappearance is slowly pieced together by an investigator tormented by her own demons. Bit by bit, the reader finds out what really happened that night and in the three years after.

This story was a great wind up and a terrible ending. I HATED the ending. I felt like a wasted the time reading the whole book because of the ending. While the ending made sense, it made me feel icky and sick. The story was very consuming to read because it drew you in very well. I was unimpressed with Dr. Winters though. The ending ruined the whole book for me, however. It is a great lesson on narcissism if you don't know about it, however.
Emma in the Night: A Novel

This is the story of Cass and Emma, two sisters who went missing three years ago, then one day Cass turns up on her mother's doorstep without Emma, can the authorities find her with the information Cass gives them, is she telling them the truth and will they be able to bring her home where she belongs.

I read Wendy Walkers first book, All is not Forgotten, and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this one. Whilst I found this one very intriguing and had to find out what had happened to the girls, I enjoyed her first book more.

Some major ups and downs, but basically two girls vanish, and one girl returns. Three years have passed, and Cass is home, but Emma, she is still missing. This reopens a very cold case, based on Cass's testimony. Mommy dearest is a narcissist of the highest order. If you have ever been around a narcissist, this book nailed them. It can be really slow, with a different type or writing style, but I still had to read it all.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

Three years ago Emma and her younger sister, Cassandra (Cass) disappeared from their upscale coastal town. Three years later Cass returns to her Mother and Stepfathers front door. But where is Emma? As Cass begins to fill in the gaps of the last three years to her family and FBI agents, Abigal Winter and Leo Strauss, Dr. Winter begins to wonder if everything is as it seems? Is Cass telling them what really happened to her and Emma?

Walker’s second novel takes us deep into the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and the results of those dysfunctions are Emma and Cass. I was really into this completely immersive, dark and twisted family; holding my breath until the final pages. Read this book!!

Special thanks to Wendy Walker, St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

Emma In the Night is a captivating thriller that appeals to all who love a great psychological drama a la Paula Hawkins. I was lost to my wife after reading the first ten pages. Two sisters disappear, Emma and Cass. Three years later Cass reappears sans Emma. Cass begs and pleads for help to find her missing sister. This novel is more than a story about missing children. It deals with interpersonal and familial relationships, abuse, and fear. Throw in a little self-love to an unhealth point and you have the ingredients for a compelling read.

Read this in one sitting! Cass is a brilliant protagonist, and this is one amazing piece of thriller fiction. So many red herrings that you won't know who to believe. I wish I could go back in time and read this for the first time again. Needless to say, I went to bed late in the morning hours. The chapters change viewpoints and you'll never guess where this is going. Cass and her sister Emma have been missing for three years. Now Cass has returned and desperate to find her sister. You've gotta read this!

Wendy Walker did a great job of captivating me. Trying to figure out what happened to the two sister's. Was Cass telling the truth, did she dream this, was this to get attention. Questions that kept me reading. The horrible way they were treated reminds me of so many families who do not put priority on each other. This book is a must read if you like mystery and suspense. Not for young ages. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, SheSpeaksup for the digital copy given to me to read for an honest review.

It took me a little bit longer than I would have liked to get into this book - it's slow going in parts, and I'll admit to a pinch of confusion but overall I really liked this psychological thriller. Ms. Walker has written a tightly drawn twisty and turn filled book. Every time (well almost) I thought I had the book figured out...yeah... The alternating POV's really helped this novel . I plan on reading adding this author to my list.

My copy was provided via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Extract: 'Abby had not forgotten the Tanner sisters. Not for one minute of one day. The facts of the investigation had lain dormant in the shadowed corners of her mind. But that was not the same as forgetting. They were with her, even after a year of being off the case. They were in her bones. In her flesh. She breathed them in and out with every breath. The missing girls. And the theory of the case that no one else would believe. '

THE BLURB: 'From the bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten comes a thriller about two missing sisters, a twisted family, and what happens when one girl comes back...

One night three years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared: fifteen-year-old Cass and seventeen-year-old Emma. Three years later, Cass returns, without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn't add up. Looking deep within this dysfunctional family Dr. Winter uncovers a life where boundaries were violated and a narcissistic parent held sway. And where one sister's return might just be the beginning of the crime.'

Following are two quotes from Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker which to me describe the problems I had with this book.

'A story is more than the recounting of events.' Yet this is exactly how the book is written, a simple recounting of the events.

'Her voice was steady, as if she were explaining a term paper she'd written in school.' Again to me, that is how the book read.

Imagine if you will, sitting down to a meal you have been looking forward to. It is your favorite meal. In front of you, it looks delicious. It smells wonderful. Yet, when you take a bite, it is bland. Occasionally you get a taste of the flavors that should be there, but overall the meal is tasteless, and you feel disappointed, cheated almost.

That sums up how I felt about Emma in the Night. It was bland. Disappointing. Flat.

I am a voracious reader. Yet it took me four days to chew my way through this book. One chapter at a time. Sometimes not even that. It was a tough read.

2.5 reluctant stars - the extra half star because the premise and promise of the plot was great. I just feel that the way it was written and delivered left a lot to be desired.

Thank you to St Martins Press via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page for an explanation of my ratings. This review is also published on my blog sandysbookaday.WordPress.com

Just finished reading this and wanted to quickly leave a review as a warning to others. The premise of this book was interesting and it could potentially have been a good book in hands of a much more skilled writer. The writing is so simplistic it read like something an average high schooler could have written. Sentences dull. There was also sooo much repetition..

Maybe I have been spoiled by the books & writers I have been reading lately but this was painful to read. Characters were like cardboard cutouts, story obviously didn't hang together from the beginning, Emma's dialogue was like that of a 10yr old kid rather than an 18yr old woman. The doctor was so underdeveloped apart from constantly hammering home that her mother was also a narcissist.

Having said that, I finished it, and it was a very quick read (because the writing is so simple I guess) but I pretty much just wanted to get it over and done with to find out the twist, without enjoying the journey.

“Emma in the Night” is a taut psychological thriller that kept me reading from start to finish without putting it down. Not only did I keep second-guessing my theories, I kept feeling ill-at-ease in my own home. It’s difficult to say much more than the book synopsis because to spoil it even a little would take away from the fun. If you like thriller mysteries, you will probably enjoy this.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

This psychological thriller is the story of a monstrously dysfunctional family. Three years earlier two teenage sisters disappear from an upscale home. Then one, Cass, returns three years later. The story is Cass' and the FBI agents who worked on the original disappearance. It is gripping and engrossing and covers about every area in dysfunctionality. Going further would lead to too many spoilers, but the novel is well worth reading. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin Press for an ARC for an honest review.

I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest review.

Twist and Turns and Unreliable Narrator, OH MY!!

My brain hurts. I am not even sure how to write this review. I thought this was one thing and even with all of Cass's hints of a hidden truth, I was not expecting what happened. I am normally able to figure out books like this but it was so well written that I was shocked.

If you like mystery/thrillers you will love this book. I didn't want to put it down and read it in one afternoon.

When I surfing around on Goodreads, I noticed that there are some pretty mixed reviews for this one. Sometimes you just have to give it a try, so I did. And this is the first book that I have read from Wendy Walker and it certainly won’t be the last one.

We get the story in alternating point of views between Cass the youngest sister and Abigail Winters the forensic psychiatrist that was part of initial missing children case. Cass’ story unfolds over the first week after her arrival back home, so we get a piece here and a piece there of what happened during the time the girls were gone. Where they were, who was with them and what happened. Also Cass gives us the reader a glimpse into their home life before Emma and her went missing. As Cass tells her story, Abigail is trying to put it all together. I didn’t really know a lot about narcissistic personality disorder, so following along with Abigail gathering all the information, I was trying to figure it all out too. Sitting on the sidelines, it felt like I missing something, was there something more going on, was I missing something. So, I just couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Everything finally came together, I did sit and wonder to myself how I did I miss that!!! The ending was fantastic though….

Cass is a pretty strong girl, especially with everything she has been put through in her short life. There are a couple of side characters like her step brother that I wouldn’t knocking some sense into. Cass’s half bother Witt, was great though and her Dad too. This was one seriously dysfunctional family. Dr. Abigail Winters was pretty badass, her line of work would be amazing to do. Overall, the characters seem to be fairly complex but well developed in their own ways.

Psychological thrillers are something I have always enjoyed reading and this one delivered just that, but who knew it could be both a psychological thriller and have heartbreaking moments at the same time. I will be on the look out for some more books from Wendy Walker. Pick this one up! It is freaking amazing.

I initially purchased this book because the premise of the narcissistic mother caught my attention. This book could have been written about my mother in law. Then the story sucked me in. The twists and turns kept me guessing constantly. When I thought I had it figured out, another twist would throw me off track. Fantastic characters and the narrators brought the story to life. Loved it!!!

Simply fantastic!

I recently gave a negative review to a work that attempted to be a character-driven mystery, yet failed miserably in its execution due to the sheer banality of the featured protagonists. Emma in the Night, thankfully, proves yet again that character-based plots can be as nail-bitingly intense as a standard whodunnit when a talented writer is at the helm.

Wendy Walker is gifted in her ability to flesh out a thorough portrayal of a rare, but damaging personality disorder and use it to design, not just a mystery, but an entire narrative structure borne from an increasingly toxic familial web. A familial web whose many secrets, machinations, and delusions are so tangled that just when you think you have everything pinned down---the ground collapses beneath you once again. But oh, how you'll love the fall.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I loved this book! The suspense started in the first chapter and keep building until the very last page. I disliked most of the characters, but I believe you are supposed to, because they aren't good people. I enjoyed All Is Not Forgotten, but this book entertained me even more than it. The plot kept me guessing until the very end, which is hard to do! Definitely a must read book!

I would give this book a 5+. I read it in one day. What a mother's love can do or lack of a mother's love does is explored in this book. Dysfunctional family, mental illness, a mystery are the topics explored in this psychological thriller. How do you survive within a dysfunctional family? Where are the people who should have noticed that something was very wrong? Very well written book with developed characters.

I always loved a good psychological thriller, so when I saw this one I knew I absolutely had to have it. This is the first book I read from Wendy Walker, and I think there will be more later. Two sisters disappears, then one miraculously resurfaces years later. But what happened to them? The plot is relayed through Cass, so we can not witness the happenings firsthand but I still think this was a good addition to the mystery. I really loved this story, so I can only recommend it to the fans of psychological thrillers.

Emma in the Night is the story of two sisters, Emma and Cass, that went missing one night. The only thing found was Emma’s car left on the beach. Three years later, Cass returns with a story of an island where she and Emma were kept.

Emma in the Night is a spectacularly crafted mystery. Revealing just enough at each point to slowly unveil the truth of what happened. I was hugely impressed with how well Walker so carefully gives us progressively more information, but does not show her hand until the very end.

Be careful about reading this book in public places. I gasped, audibly, at the gym, coffee shops, in cars, and many other inappropriate places, where one should not gasp.

Wendy Walker's ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN is a great psychological thriller, but EMMA IN THE NIGHT exceeds even that. It's wonderfully gothic, starring missed-up families with hidden agendas. The big reveals, along with the attention to detail (the counting!), make this a thriller not to be missed. I'm eager to read whatever Wendy Walker publishes next - two five-star novels in a row make her a must-read author.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. What a dysfunctional family! And that is putting it madly. We have two girls being raised by a Narcissistic mother. One day they both disappeared. Three years later Cass returns, but the question is what happened to Emma? The story is told from Cass and Abby's (FBI) perspective. As this story unfolds, it gets so bazaar and intriguing. Very enjoyable and some pretty interesting twists.

I found this quite slow at first and felt it didn't start to connect until halfway through. Saying that, this is very intelligent clever writing, keeping you guessing about the outcome, with many twists and turns right to the end.
Cass and Emma are sisters in a very dysfunctional family. This is their story and how they get free albeit it in very different ways. It is also the story of how the police are affected during the length of a case. The author has researched the subject well and has put it across in an understandable way.

This was a very interesting book. I kept trying to guess where it was going...it was totally impossible. I won't mention what it was about, you can get that from the book description. What I can say was that the characters were well fleshed out. There were definite villains, fools, and heroes. I did shed a few tears. I don't think I ever laughed. And I am definitely going to look Wendy Walker up and read more of her books.

I liked this book but it was also disturbing. So I am kind of ambivalent about it. The story was a good one and I didn't see the ending coming. But going deep into the topic of narcissism bothered me. Perhaps it is because the mother of our main character reminded me to much of a friend I once knew. It was just a little too real for me. However with that said, I still couldn't put it down for I had to know the outcome!

I found this on my public library shelf and I am so glad I picked it up. It was a very compelling read. I was thoroughly absorbed by Cass's eerie and tragic narration and Abby's scientific understanding of narcissistic personality disorder (talk about timely). I found Mrs. Martin to be exceptionally flawed and I wanted to know all about her. Twisted family secrets are the best. Highly recommend.

I have read other works by Wendy Walker before. I must say this is my favorite one. Definitely five stars. The story was so believable and yet became so many stories within the story. I could clearly see in my mind the characters, the island, and the story materialize in front of my face.. I absolutely loved it! I'm usually pretty good at figuring out the endings but this one definitely threw me. This is one book I will not forget !

The toxic nature of the family in this book made it too difficult for me to read. Every one of them was so unlikable and emotionally warped. I finished it, hoping that someone would emerge with a redeeming quality, but it never happened. I can't say I hated it, but I really, really didn't like it. At all.

I read this book in one day. A book this size normally takes me a couple of days to read, but this book grabs you on the very first page and doesn't let go. It's as interesting as the cover suggests and a fabulous read! I loved it and highly recommend!

While the story initially sucked me in I hated how to author would resort to a lecture type writing style from a psych 101class. This was such a turn off and seemed amateur to me. Wish I hadn’t wasted my time as the payoff in the end was not worth it.

This was a a steady paced read. A psychological thriller surrounding the disappearance of two daughters from a dysfunctional family and a mother with Narcissist Personality Disorder. Several twists and turns to keep me turning the page to get to the end.

I liked the storyline in the book and it certainly keeps the reader guessing until the end. But for me, an awful lot of passages that could be skipped over, moved slow. And it was painful not to see an improvement in Cass's attitude toward her mother.

I liked this more than I expected to & found it hard to put down at times. There is a very VC Andrews vibe to it...kind of implausible, but still compelling. The ending was a bit of a disappointment, but all in all readable & entertaining.

I kept wanting to stop reading this but I persevered and I am glad. This is a strong book on its subject matter, cannot say it was a good read but a long one. The ending was surprising and I am glad I finished it.

This book caught my attention with the first paragraph and did not let go. The characters are all intriguing, as is the story. The psychological thriller genre is one of my favorites, and this one goes on my Top 5 list. Highly recommended!

I loved that these characters were all so completely untrustworthy and full of themselves. The narrator, Cass, was phenomenally unreliable. Everything about this kept me on my toes until the end. Definitely worth your time.

I know I am in the minority here because all my friends loved it and it was good and I enjoyed getting to know all about the mental illness in this story but the ending blew it for me. It didnt click.

I loved it. Especially coming on the tail of Little Fires Everywhere that doesn't hold a candle (ha ha) to this one.

Great mystery. Psychological thriller. Great tight read. Wish it were longer.

I listened to the audiobook via my local library. I found it to be a engrossing tale, however ••• warning, spoiler ahead...

I'm an sick to death of tragically childless people being portrayed as criminals. It's so incredibly cliche and completely ruined the entire novel for me.

I love Wendy Walkers writing style! Emma in the Night is the type of book that you will not want to put down - you will want to turn the pages as fast as you can because you have no idea what is right around the corner. The story is perfectly layered and with each layer you will discover another secret or twist you never excepted to happen. The ending was fantastic! Highly Recommend!

If you want to write book that grabs the reader, do something interesting! Blow up a bridge. Find a body, Hurdle into space! The beginning of this is all backstory! Nothing to grab the reader. How on EARTH did this even get published? It was sooooooo bbbbbooorrrring I couldn't get into to it. Yeah where did all these five star reviews come from? Did we read the same book???? All telling - no showing. Very amateur.

I was looking forward to this novel, as it was a book of the month selection, so I thought, naturally it will be great. Yikes. It is not well-written. It has not been properly edited, and the final copy I received has proofreading errors. I feel like this is a first draft of a work produced in a creative writing class at a community college.

Very very enjoyable. It is difficult to find a book in this genre that is truthful to both the story and the readers. Emma in the Night walks that line perfectly. Well done, Wendy Walker. This novel is flawless.

I was really excited to read this book, but really disappointed with it. It moves slowly and none of the characters are likable. The worst part is all the incest going on -- it isn't at all believable and very uncomfortable to read about.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that you know you won't soon forget—a story that lingers long after the last line is read. For me, "Emma in the Night" is one such book. Upon reading the premise, I was immediately intrigued. And author Wendy Walker didn't disappoint. This book was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more! Enthralling and suspenseful, the story this author weaved held me captive from the very first page right up until the very end.

At ages 17 and 15, sisters Emma and Cass Turner, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Did these girls simply runaway to escape their dysfunctional home? Or did something far more nefarious come into play? Ultimately, circumstantial evidence leads authorities to presume that 17-year old Emma committed suicide. But when it comes to her younger sister Cass, they hit a dead end.

Three years after the girls’ mysterious disappearance, Cass returns without her sister, Emma, to tell a horrific tale. Following the leads given to them by Cass, the FBI is in hot pursuit of the still missing Emma. But its forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Abigail Winter, who reads more into the situation than what initially meets the eye. Working alongside her partner, FBI Special Agent Leo Strauss, Abby delves into this family’s darkest secrets to uncover truths some would rather have been left buried for good.

“Emma in the Night” is a disturbing glimpse into the lives of two teenage girls growing up in a home controlled by their narcissistic mother, while also detailing the events leading up to one very fateful night. Riddled with numerous twists and turns, “Emma in the Night” is a psychological thriller that makes for one helluva unique and gripping roller coaster ride for sure!

I really wanted to enjoy this novel, and in the beginning, I did. This story is told from both Cass and Abby's perspectives as they circle around the kidnapping and the events that led to it. But after just a few chapters, I found myself struggling to get through this novel. Maybe it was the writing style, or maybe it was the story itself. But I really didn't enjoy this novel. For one thing, there is a huge disconnect between the character's emotions and the reader. I couldn't experience anything because I didn't actually feel anything that the characters felt; I was just told the emotions. It's a very weird experience to not have the characters actually experience anything firsthand but just tell you everything after the fact. And I didn't like it. I wasn't able to get into the story, and so, everything just dragged on for me. When I got to the ending, I realized why the author used this style to deliver the story; however, it really wasn't worth the effort. I also found that the story focused too much on the whole narcissistic-parent aspect. I love psychology and reading about different personality disorders, but it got very repetitive very quickly. It made the reader lose sight of the actual mystery of what happened to Cass's sister. And again, because of the writing style employed, I wasn't able to emotionally understand the impact of having a parent with narcissistic personality disorder. All in all, this novel was a mess. There was an interesting thriller premise but the focus was really on reiterating this idea of narcissistic parents and not the actual disappearance of the sisters. But even with this focus, it never actually felt like the author got to the crux of the matter because the writing style caused this awkward separation between the emotional and factual aspects of the story. It was a struggle to get through this novel, and I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed with the way it turned out. If the author had made the characters' emotions more vivid and had told the story in a different way, with an equal focus on the parenting style as well as the actual disappearance, I think this novel would have been a lot more appealing for me. For now, I'm giving this a 1/5 stars.

“Emma in the Night” by Wendy Walker is a suspenseful thriller that will keep readers guessing. Two sisters, Emma and Cassandra just disappear one day. No one knows where they have gone or why, not even the FBI. Three years later, Cass just shows up at her mother’s house, unannounced and by herself, no Emma. Where has she been and what happened to Emma? The details slowly emerge, and the truth is revealed.
The book is written from two main points of view, that of Cass, and that of Dr. Abigail Winter, the FBI forensic psychiatrist who investigated the disappearance of the two girls and is back to continue the investigation. The action is dialogue driven, and individual chapters are identified by character to help readers keep track of the viewpoint.
The main characters are well developed, and the alternating chapters enable them to each express their own voice and viewpoint. Supporting characters, seen through the perspectives of Cass and Dr. Winter, are dysfunctional, controlling, and narcissistic; none is likeable.

I received a copy of “Emma in the Night” from St Martin’s Press, Wendy Walker, and NetGalley. It is a disturbing, twisted, and yet captivating thriller that will keep readers guessing all the way through. I enjoyed reading it and was satisfied with the ending.

This is the second book that I've read by Wendy Walker and she just keeps on getting better. I loved this book and once I started it, I didn't put it down until I finished it. This was a fantastic suspense novel with a twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

Cass was 15 when she showed up at her mother's door after being gone for three years. She and her sister Emma had disappeared the same night and after exhaustive FBI searches, it was assumed that they had been kidnapped or they were dead. When Cass showed up she was unable to tell her parents exactly where she'd been and more importantly where her sister Emma was. It is apparent that she is keeping secrets but no one knows why. Among the investigators was forensic scientist Abby Winter who had investigated during the first search for the girls and has secrets of her own to keep hidden.
Cass and all the investigators main goal is to find Emma but is that going to happen or is Emma's location another secret to uncover.

This is a fantastic suspense novel and as the facts are revealed slowly, the reader is kept in suspense as to the final outcome. I look forward to what this author will write in her next novel.

Thanks to goodreads for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest opinion.

Two sisters disappeared mysteriously in the middle of the night and three years later only one returns. When Cass Tanner suddenly turns up on her mother's doorstep early one morning, soon the house is swarming with police officers and detectives who want to know what happened to her and her sister Emma. Cass tells her story, but her narcissistic mother thinks she is crazy and psychiatric Abby Winters thinks that Cass is hiding something. Cass is on a mission to get justice and revenge while Abby wants the truth.

The story slowly unravels with many flashbacks and we learn the truth about the events that led to the night of the girls' disappearance. The novel is told from both Cass and Abby's points of view and, it is clear that Cass is not telling the whole story. Cass is a good narrator, giving detailed descriptions and her story is so captivating that until the end, it is not clear which part is real and which is not. A novel about dysfunctional families, obsession, jealousy, mental illness, and secrets, I found it at times exasperating but mostly fascinating as the author explores the psychology behind the characters' behaviour. It's a dark and thought-provoking novel with a few surprising twists.

I purchased this book from @bookofthemonth to read. All opinions are my own. ????? Emma In The Night by Wendy Walker. I am truly speechless. I never saw this twist coming. A fight over a necklace leaves as family in turmoil after both daughters Emma and Cass disappear one night leaving only Emma's car and purse as evidence of their disappearance. But 3 years later, Cass shows up on her mother's door step and has a story that will rock you to your core. And in 7 days her story will unravel everything everyone ever thought they knew about her dysfunctional family life. Including 2 detectives that have investigated this same crime as a disappearance for over three years. Exposing family secrets is dangerous territory and Walker throws a twist in every detail so pay attention to the things you think you know.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and in this case, the pleasure was all mine. Wendy Walker's masterful prose is stunning in its artful simplicity and laser-sharp clarity. She is also an astute observer of life, and sprinkles these keen nuggets throughout the book. Her thorough research on both the forensic and psychological elements of this book bring it to life, and educate (as well as entertain) the reader.

I admit that I do not read much psychological suspense. I can get overwhelmed and anxious because of the dark subject matter. This story is definitely dark and twisted. Cass and her sister, Emma, are raised by a mother with narcissistic personality disorder. That dynamic is further complicated by dysfunctional first and second marriages, and half and step siblings, sexual assault and other issues.

It was equally horrific and fascinating to read the web of lies, betrayals, and history of the family that led to the disappearance of the sisters, and to know, while reading, that something about Cass's version of those missing years was off...it kept me guessing. I was half-right, but didn't guess the actual ending (which I'll not spoil for readers).

Ultimately this is a very compelling story about the domino effect that untreated mental illness can have upon the lives of others, and how hard it can be to break the cycle. If you like this kind of story, then you don't want to miss this one!

Into the night suddenly disappear two teenage sisters, Emma and Cass, leaving an empty car on the beach and a single pair of shoes in the surf. Three years later, Cass alone returns to her parents’ home with a story of captivity on an unidentified seven-acre island, and a driving urgency to find her sister who has since given birth. In Emma in the Night, author Wendy Walker carefully weaves a psychological thriller that is even more carefully unwound in a way that reveals only bare hints of resolution until all is immediately exposed.

As the narration switches between Cass’s first-person recounting and a third-person limited overlook of FBI Forensic Psychologist, Dr. Abby Winter, details of Cass and Emma’s home lives before their disappearance come into light. Their mother is revealed to be a pathological narcissist who has spent years competing with her daughters for attention, power, and validation, as her girls have grown in beauty. As the oldest daughter who has realized the threat that she is to her mother, Emma has the stronger love-hate relationship with their mother, and Cass takes refuge in Emma’s shadow as a “bird on the battlefield” with an unrealized, yet growing desire to see her mother defeated.

Cass’s experience growing up with a narcissistic mother is reflected in Dr. Winter’s character, whose mother was also a narcissist. Having investigated Emma and Cass’s disappearances since the beginning, Dr. Winter brings a contrasted, systematic aspect to the novel’s premise of psychosis, while remaining approachable to the reader by her own emotional investment in the case. As Dr. Winter learns of Cass’s childhood, she remembers her own, and is ultimately able to discover Emma’s whereabouts by understanding the dynamic in Cass’s household.

Throughout the novel, Cass is repeatedly put into situations requiring either swift decisions or well-thought-out planning, nothing in-between; Cass is forced to quickly become an adult, and learns that survival in her environment requires rigid observation, manipulation, and sacrifice. Wendy Walker presents the argument that people will believe what they want to believe, and paired with Walker’s working knowledge of the causes and effects of narcissism, Emma in the Night allows its audience to keep guessing at what the truth behind the girls’ disappearance and captivity might be.

Sometimes when I’m reading a book by an unreliable narrator, I must stop reading to digest what the narrator is saying. This is that kind of book. Along with that, I reluctantly picked the book back up again, because I really didn’t want to know what the ultimate outcome would be. Emma in the Night isn’t a long book, but the author’s writing was so tightly written with each sentence having an impact on the telling, it took me three days to read the book. This is psychological thriller at it’s best. Walker deftly peels the off the layers of this dysfunctional family with each member trying one-up the others in getting what they want.

Emma & Cass disappeared from their home 3 years ago. Cass knocks on the door and has a story to tell about what happened to them The same FBI agent and psychologist who investigated now are there to hear the story Cass has to tell of what had happened to them and why she is home alone.
This story starts long before they disappear with many twists and turns to it. They are raised by a narcissistic mother with a father too weak to fight for them when the parents divorce. A half brother who loves them but too young to really be of help. A step-father and step-brother who add to the problems at home.
A hard situation to grown up in and then to deal with what happened when the girls disappear adds to it.

If you want a heart stopping, mystery with dark twists, this is it!
How do two sister's disappear for three years and then one reappears with the story, and mystery of where they were and her sister still is? Why?
Her Mother has moved on and so has the rest of the family and are almost upset to see her reappear after all this time
Whose to blame.
There is no way to predict what ensues as this story progresses and it kept me on my toes and kept my attention all the way through the chapters!

I received this book as a gift and have provided and honest review!

This story was a great wind up and a terrible ending. I HATED the ending. I felt like a wasted the time reading the whole book because of the ending. While the ending made sense, it made me feel icky and sick. The story was very consuming to read because it drew you in very well. I was unimpressed with Dr. Winters though. The ending ruined the whole book for me, however. It is a great lesson on narcissism if you don't know about it, however.
Emma in the Night: A Novel

Three years ago Emma and her younger sister, Cassandra (Cass) disappeared from their upscale coastal town. Three years later Cass returns to her Mother and Stepfathers front door. But where is Emma? As Cass begins to fill in the gaps of the last three years to her family and FBI agents, Abigal Winter and Leo Strauss, Dr. Winter begins to wonder if everything is as it seems? Is Cass telling them what really happened to her and Emma?

Walker’s second novel takes us deep into the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and the results of those dysfunctions are Emma and Cass. I was really into this completely immersive, dark and twisted family; holding my breath until the final pages. Read this book!!

Special thanks to Wendy Walker, St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

I found this quite slow at first and felt it didn't start to connect until halfway through. Saying that, this is very intelligent clever writing, keeping you guessing about the outcome, with many twists and turns right to the end.
Cass and Emma are sisters in a very dysfunctional family. This is their story and how they get free albeit it in very different ways. It is also the story of how the police are affected during the length of a case. The author has researched the subject well and has put it across in an understandable way.

3 years ago Cass and Emma Tanner disappear. Cass returns home, Emma doesn't. What happened to the sisters? Who kidnapped them? And where is Emma? This was a great suspenseful thrilling book with lots of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down until the end! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in return for honest review.

Honestly, I was kind of disappointed. Don't waste your time reading this book, there is no climax, no interesting turning point, nothing. So confused by other reviews! This was a boring read, and the ending makes you feel as though you've wasted your time by reading it.

I see that a lot of readers liked this book, but it was not my favorite. I felt it just dragged along and at times the plot just seemed choppy-didn't seem to flow. The ending provided a good twist to the story!

Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Emma in the Night is the newest story by Wendy Walker. The story goes back and forth in time and switches back and forth from two different points of view. Ms Walker has done an excellent job of merging it all together. Surprises and twists make this a page turner. I was given an early copy to review.

I received this via Netgalley for review purposes. Pretty good psychological thriller, but a bit confusing trying to keep track of everyone and everything. The ending was great and I really liked Cass and Emma's storyline.

Walker has crafted a disturbing tale of family dysfunction with pathological narcissism at the root of the chaos. Cass and Emma long for the love that their needy and manipulative mother is incapable of providing. The mother’s voracious need for attention ecipses the healthy emotional development of the two teens and damages the lives of the other family members. Secrets and tumult plague everyone involved, and then the daughters inexplicably disappear. Three years elapse, and Cass miraculously returns, pleading with investigators to find her captive sister. This is a well-written story with compelling suspense and an exhaustive search, but the true action that propels the narrative forward is the interior monologues of Cass and Dr. Abby Winter, the forensic psychologist, who works with the FBI to solve the case. There is sufficient mystery to keep the pages turning, but at its heart, it is a character study of the harrowing nature of narcissism and the far-reaching destruction that a personality disorder can create. Some of the lines in the book are worthy of underlining for the stark insight provided.
An interesting story the dares to explore the darkest facets of the human mind. Also, as a totally unrelated aside, why in the world doesn’t Dr. Winter’s dog have a name?

I found myself intrigued by the plot from the beginning. As the psychologist and defective progressed in the investigation I was able to guess several important twists. However, I wasn't sure my guesses were right and I never lost interest in the story.