[Blog Tour] Misplaced by Lee Murray: Review & Giveaway
Author: Lee Murray
Release date: December 1st 2013
Publisher: Leapy Sheep
Series: N/A
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary / Mystery
Tour organized by: Xpresso Book Tours
Purchase: Amazon
Add to your library: Goodreads
Dream cars have no registration plate...
One evening, Adam’s mum pops out for the milk and doesn’t come back, launching a frantic nationwide search. Yet after weeks with no leads, the television crews drift away, the police start asking hairy questions, and Adam’s dad starts seeing someone else. Adam’s life is falling apart. But then he meets Skye, who it seems has misplaced a parent too, and things start to look up. That is, until a body is found...(via Goodreads)
One evening, Adam’s mum pops out for the milk and doesn’t come back, launching a frantic nationwide search. Yet after weeks with no leads, the television crews drift away, the police start asking hairy questions, and Adam’s dad starts seeing someone else. Adam’s life is falling apart. But then he meets Skye, who it seems has misplaced a parent too, and things start to look up. That is, until a body is found...(via Goodreads)
I received an e-copy of this from Lee Murray and Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way.
Whenever I hear news about missing people, my heart aches for the people left behind. How will they continue to live without knowing what has happened to their loved one? At least with death comes a tiny little bit of closure but with missing, you'd have to cope with the hope that they'd come back which for me is far worse than anything else because it would only leave you hanging. Like your life is put on a pause because your loved one is nowhere to be found and life wouldn't just continue because of that.
I was pretty sure I'd love this because hey, a story like this is as compelling as just knowing its synopsis. How can I not be moved by a story as real as this one? A person goes missing everyday. Some of the missing ones before even emerges like they just went somewhere to buy food or anything. I remember hearing from news before that a missing woman was found almost after ten years. I cannot imagine how her family has felt that time. I'm just happy for them. But as unfortunate as life is, some people aren't found just like Adam's Mom, Tiffany. And I know this is purely fictional but for me, this novel is more of a representation of what happens to the ones left. Knowing that the author has a missing friend, my heart goes for you, Lee.
It happened all fast. If only Adam went to buy the milk. If only Adam wasn't as engrossed in his game. If only Adam didn't somehow took her Mom for granted that day. If I were Adam, I know I'd somehow end up blaming myself. His Mom asked him to buy the milk. If he did, would he be the one missing? Endless questions and What Ifs.
The way everything happened was heartbreaking, at least for me. I knew that Adam's Dad was in that situation which breaks my heart more because his Mom suddenly disappeared. Did she know what was going on? Did she run away because of it? I hate to say this but Adam's Dad was such a douche. Don't get me wrong. I know he had his own down moments about his wife missing. But the way he handled things weren't quite the way I imagined a Dad would. Especially with his new special someone in the picture. I'm not even saying that he shouldn't move on and stuff but Tiffany wasn't even missing for a year. The thing is, your wife is missing. You don't know where the hell is she and you have the time to be flirty with another woman? You're not even taking care of your only son. So how's that, right? Oh and yeah, different people has different ways of coping and that's his way so let him be.
Adam's relationship with Skye was cute and somehow fast. I know the author didn't want to put much detail into their relationship at the start because this would seem like a romance novel. Yet everything was fine because those two just connected at some point. What they did at the latter part of the novel was dangerous and an ironic thing. Adam just left without telling anyone except his best friend. He didn't even think of what his father would think or of Skye's mother. Though I guess those two learned a lesson or two.
At a situation like this, I'm thankful that Adam's Granddad has Alzheimer's. He will only have to remember how her daughter keeps on visiting him and not being missing. I know he knows deep inside what happened but somehow he just chose to remember the good times. Him having Alzheimer's made Adam realized that no matter what, his Mom will always be with him though not physically.
Aside from Adam's Dad, another thing that somehow bothered me was Tiffany's best friend. Her awkwardness made me think if she knew where Tiffany was or that she just cannot face what happened. It just seemed so weird. Yet just as they say, you'd know the people who truly loves you in times of trouble.
I know I'm saying a lot already but given that this is almost a reflection of reality, I just want to keep talking. And I know that no words can ever amount to comfort those who are left behind. The only thing I can think of is just pray that somewhere your loved one is already safe may it be in death or the living.
Misplaced is a heart-wrenching take about a missing person. It's not your guide on how to cope after missing your loved one. It's more of a companion to your situation that somewhere in this world, you are not alone in facing such hardships.
P.S. I felt like I wrote an essay and not a review so forgive me for that. The topic of this novel is just so real that I cannot help but say those insights.
I was pretty sure I'd love this because hey, a story like this is as compelling as just knowing its synopsis. How can I not be moved by a story as real as this one? A person goes missing everyday. Some of the missing ones before even emerges like they just went somewhere to buy food or anything. I remember hearing from news before that a missing woman was found almost after ten years. I cannot imagine how her family has felt that time. I'm just happy for them. But as unfortunate as life is, some people aren't found just like Adam's Mom, Tiffany. And I know this is purely fictional but for me, this novel is more of a representation of what happens to the ones left. Knowing that the author has a missing friend, my heart goes for you, Lee.
It happened all fast. If only Adam went to buy the milk. If only Adam wasn't as engrossed in his game. If only Adam didn't somehow took her Mom for granted that day. If I were Adam, I know I'd somehow end up blaming myself. His Mom asked him to buy the milk. If he did, would he be the one missing? Endless questions and What Ifs.
The way everything happened was heartbreaking, at least for me. I knew that Adam's Dad was in that situation which breaks my heart more because his Mom suddenly disappeared. Did she know what was going on? Did she run away because of it? I hate to say this but Adam's Dad was such a douche. Don't get me wrong. I know he had his own down moments about his wife missing. But the way he handled things weren't quite the way I imagined a Dad would. Especially with his new special someone in the picture. I'm not even saying that he shouldn't move on and stuff but Tiffany wasn't even missing for a year. The thing is, your wife is missing. You don't know where the hell is she and you have the time to be flirty with another woman? You're not even taking care of your only son. So how's that, right? Oh and yeah, different people has different ways of coping and that's his way so let him be.
Adam's relationship with Skye was cute and somehow fast. I know the author didn't want to put much detail into their relationship at the start because this would seem like a romance novel. Yet everything was fine because those two just connected at some point. What they did at the latter part of the novel was dangerous and an ironic thing. Adam just left without telling anyone except his best friend. He didn't even think of what his father would think or of Skye's mother. Though I guess those two learned a lesson or two.
At a situation like this, I'm thankful that Adam's Granddad has Alzheimer's. He will only have to remember how her daughter keeps on visiting him and not being missing. I know he knows deep inside what happened but somehow he just chose to remember the good times. Him having Alzheimer's made Adam realized that no matter what, his Mom will always be with him though not physically.
Aside from Adam's Dad, another thing that somehow bothered me was Tiffany's best friend. Her awkwardness made me think if she knew where Tiffany was or that she just cannot face what happened. It just seemed so weird. Yet just as they say, you'd know the people who truly loves you in times of trouble.
I know I'm saying a lot already but given that this is almost a reflection of reality, I just want to keep talking. And I know that no words can ever amount to comfort those who are left behind. The only thing I can think of is just pray that somewhere your loved one is already safe may it be in death or the living.
Misplaced is a heart-wrenching take about a missing person. It's not your guide on how to cope after missing your loved one. It's more of a companion to your situation that somewhere in this world, you are not alone in facing such hardships.
P.S. I felt like I wrote an essay and not a review so forgive me for that. The topic of this novel is just so real that I cannot help but say those insights.
About the Author
Lee Murray is a full-time writer and editor with masters degrees in science and management. Lee wrote Misplaced after a friend, Florence, went missing from her home in France in 2003. Sadly, Florence is still missing. Lee lives in Tauranga, New Zealand with her husband and their two teenaged children. 
2 comments
Wow this sounds like such an emotional read. especially after the whole tragedy with the missing boy and his grandparents here in Canada a few weeks ago. The boy is the same age as my son and it's definitely a parent's worse nightmare. I was just telling my husband how a missing kid is, to me, much worse than a death - I have a wild imagination and I would not be able to stop imaging the torture he could be going through you know. God this is getting dark O_O So anyways, wonderful review this one sounds so well written and like one i would need to be emotionally ready for. So happy you enjoyed it!
REPLYNina, Thank you so much for this wonderful review. So kind. And thank you for your empathy. My friend, Flo, is still missing and her children are now adults, but these things are a part of their lives forever. Flo has missed their growing up. It is sadder than sad. I had hoped in writing the novel, there might be some closure, but when a person is missing, there is never closure: hope gets in the way. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed Adam's story! Thanks so you wonderful comments. Lee
REPLYHey, there! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you! I'll reply as soon as I can! ;)