☀️ Summer Reads ~ When You Looked Away by S M Govett

Penguin
Michael Joseph
9 July 2026

DI Helen Stratton #2

Thanks to the publisher for the invitation to read this book

 

Laura is ready to start a new chapter. Between her messy divorce with her ex-husband, and moving in with her new fiancé, her son Benjy and her successful writing career have been her only constants.

Until that fateful day. The afternoon starts like any other. Laura collects Benjy from school, then heads upstairs to write.

It’s not until the sun is setting that she realises the house is quiet. Too quiet.

It’s not until she sees the footprints in the garden that she knows something is terribly wrong.

One set is undeniably Benjy’s. It’s the other set that strikes fear in her heart – those of an adult.

Someone who took her son, right from under her nose…

DI Stratton is called to investigate. She must trust no one - and suspect everyone. Even Laura.

After all, doesn't her latest story follow a boy the same age as Benjy? One that takes a devastating turn.

☀️ My Review..

When You Looked Away hits the ground running with the tragic discovery that Laura Forrester’s eleven year old son Benjy is missing from home and with no signs of any disturbance in the house, the front door still locked, Laura heads out into the garden where she discovers two sets of footprints leading into the woods and with it comes the realisation that Benjy has left the house with someone. What then follows is a complex investigation and as DI Helen Stratton and her team of detectives start to unpick the less than obvious clues, so a twisty domestic drama starts to unfold.

What I enjoy about these crime novels is the believability of the characters especially DI Stratton who is both prickly and feisty in equal measure, she can be sharp and snarky and yet seems to get the job done without ruffling too many feathers. Intricately written, there’s a few clever twists I didn’t see coming and even though I thought I had the perpetrator sussed, there were so many red herrings that I was never quite convinced my theories were correct. The ending, when it comes, is entirely convincing and I’m pleased to discover that the story points in the direction of another DI Stratton story, hopefully, sometime soon.

There’s nothing better than settling down on a summer’s afternoon to read the latest crime thriller from this talented writer. To be back in the company of DI Helen Stratton in this second book in the series is a real delight. 

About the Author

S.M. Govett read Law at Trinity College, Oxford, before qualifying as a solicitor in the City. After realising that didn't suit her, she started tutoring before turning her hand to writing, which she discovered was her true calling. She has since authored several bestselling YA novels, including The Territory trilogy and We Go On Forever. She also co-wrote the screenplay for the feature film, T.I.M., which was the no. 1 film on Netflix upon release. Believe is her debut adult thriller.

She currently lives in London with her husband and three children.

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