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Lost Cause
The only one who can find your daughter?
The woman you just divorced
Mark Campbell is in trouble. Deep trouble.
His latest book is five years late and his recent divorce has cleaned him out.
Worse, his debts with Vic Hebden aren’t exactly the kind you consolidate loans into one easy payment. And he’s missed three payments.
But Mark has a plan � finish his novel, then pay Hebden off with the advance. His student daughter, Kay, is spending her summer holiday to research locations in the far north of Scotland, ahead of a father-daughter holiday.
Desperate to add her research to his book, their hotel calls � Kay has run off, leaving a big bill, her phone and a copy of Mark’s last book, BREAK THE CHAIN.
There's only one person to turn to � his ex, Olivia. Kay’s stepmother. A Glaswegian cop still angry at their recent divorce.
As they hunt the Scottish Highlands for his daughter, Mark starts to realise Kay’s disappearance could have something to do with BREAK THE CHAIN, the book where he exposed the founder’s sexual abuse, similar to the religious cult he grew up in, .
Could Kay have succumbed to the clutches of someone from the cult? Or does Hebden have her? And can Mark and Olivia save her in time?
LOST CAUSE is a standalone psychological thriller from the bestselling author of the Cullen, Fenchurch and Dodds series, perfect for fans of Mark Edwards, Linwood Barclay and Harlan Coben.
The woman you just divorced
Mark Campbell is in trouble. Deep trouble.
His latest book is five years late and his recent divorce has cleaned him out.
Worse, his debts with Vic Hebden aren’t exactly the kind you consolidate loans into one easy payment. And he’s missed three payments.
But Mark has a plan � finish his novel, then pay Hebden off with the advance. His student daughter, Kay, is spending her summer holiday to research locations in the far north of Scotland, ahead of a father-daughter holiday.
Desperate to add her research to his book, their hotel calls � Kay has run off, leaving a big bill, her phone and a copy of Mark’s last book, BREAK THE CHAIN.
There's only one person to turn to � his ex, Olivia. Kay’s stepmother. A Glaswegian cop still angry at their recent divorce.
As they hunt the Scottish Highlands for his daughter, Mark starts to realise Kay’s disappearance could have something to do with BREAK THE CHAIN, the book where he exposed the founder’s sexual abuse, similar to the religious cult he grew up in, .
Could Kay have succumbed to the clutches of someone from the cult? Or does Hebden have her? And can Mark and Olivia save her in time?
LOST CAUSE is a standalone psychological thriller from the bestselling author of the Cullen, Fenchurch and Dodds series, perfect for fans of Mark Edwards, Linwood Barclay and Harlan Coben.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2022
47 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 30, 2022
A decent thriller set in the Highlands with a plot which starts to centre on the Clearances, when crofters were cleared from land by unscrupulous landowners.
September 15, 2022
Another great read from one of my favorite authors. Mark Campbell is a one time published author who is under a deadline to produce his next big hit, all while trying to hide from the loan shark he is deeply in debt to and who is wanting his money. Mark's daughter has been doing research for his book in the Scottish Highlands, when she goes missing. Not sure what has happened, Mark goes and tries to find her, still ducking his agent and the loan shark. What ensues is a fast paced thriller that has a surprising ending. This is a stand alone, but I loved the character of Mark and sincerely hope the author considers more books and adventures with him included. I have read all of Ed James' books, yes even the vampire ones, and highly recommend him to anyone who loves a good story with lots of action and humor.
March 21, 2022
Mark Campbell is an author, not overly prolific but successful all the same. Unfortunately real life hasn't been as kind, although being twice divorced and slightly estranged from his teenage daughter, Amy, are the least of his current problems. Hiding out in his apartment has its disadvantages but when he finally steps outside everything begins to hurtle towards him at speed and he has to acknowledge his part in his own downfall.
When Mark can’t get in touch with Amy, who is doing research for him in the Scottish Highlands, he begins to panic, is her disappearance down to him? Fortunately he knows just the person to help him look, unfortunately she has only recently become his second ex-wife and although a cop and as concerned as Mark, she's not sure about helping.
Ed James has always been a favourite of mine but this book is brilliant and I loved it. The storyline starts simply enough, divorced writer, missing daughter, disgruntled ex-wives, isolated location, but gradually, almost imperceptibly, it becomes so much more. Mark is more of an anti-hero at the start, egotistical and unrealistic about himself and his situation, making him a great main protagonist who along with the story itself changes throughout which definitely added to this excellent read.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book, before buying my own, thanks to the author, Ed James, and Grey Dog Books, but the opinions expressed are all mine. This is a first class standalone from the author of, amongst others, the Cullen and Fenchurch mystery series and is easy to recommend unreservedly especially as there is a totally unexpected but very satisfying ending, which I didn't in any way see coming.
When Mark can’t get in touch with Amy, who is doing research for him in the Scottish Highlands, he begins to panic, is her disappearance down to him? Fortunately he knows just the person to help him look, unfortunately she has only recently become his second ex-wife and although a cop and as concerned as Mark, she's not sure about helping.
Ed James has always been a favourite of mine but this book is brilliant and I loved it. The storyline starts simply enough, divorced writer, missing daughter, disgruntled ex-wives, isolated location, but gradually, almost imperceptibly, it becomes so much more. Mark is more of an anti-hero at the start, egotistical and unrealistic about himself and his situation, making him a great main protagonist who along with the story itself changes throughout which definitely added to this excellent read.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book, before buying my own, thanks to the author, Ed James, and Grey Dog Books, but the opinions expressed are all mine. This is a first class standalone from the author of, amongst others, the Cullen and Fenchurch mystery series and is easy to recommend unreservedly especially as there is a totally unexpected but very satisfying ending, which I didn't in any way see coming.
November 3, 2023
A standalone psychological thriller by author Ed James. I have been reading the Scott Cullen series by this author and really enjoying it so decided to read this standalone. Although I did enjoy this book I didn’t feel the same pull as the other books I have read.
Mark Campbell is an author who is in deep trouble, his latest book is five years late and his recent divorce has left him in deep financial trouble. But it is his debts with Vic Hebden that are giving Mark his biggest concern as they aren’t the kind you consolidate into one easy payment and he’s already missed three. Mark plans to finish his novel and then pay Hebden off with the advance. His student daughter, Kay, is spending her summer holiday researching locations in the far north of Scotland, ahead of a father and daughter holiday. Desperate to add her research to his book, the hotel calls and informs Mark that Kay has run off, leaving a big bill, her phone and a copy of Mark’s last book ‘Break the chain�.
Mark has no one to turn to other than his ex, Olivia who is Kay’s stepmother and a Glasgow cop who is still angry at their recent divorce. As they hunt the Scottish Highlands for his daughter, Mark starts to realise Kay’s disappearance could have something to do with the novel which exposed a cult founder’s real life sexual abuse. What has happened to Kay, has she run away from Mark or more worrying does Hebden have her. Mark and Olivia join forces to search for Kay as they race against time to save her.
I found this an enjoyable read but in my opinion didn’t reach the higher standard of the Scott Cullen books I have been reading.
Mark Campbell is an author who is in deep trouble, his latest book is five years late and his recent divorce has left him in deep financial trouble. But it is his debts with Vic Hebden that are giving Mark his biggest concern as they aren’t the kind you consolidate into one easy payment and he’s already missed three. Mark plans to finish his novel and then pay Hebden off with the advance. His student daughter, Kay, is spending her summer holiday researching locations in the far north of Scotland, ahead of a father and daughter holiday. Desperate to add her research to his book, the hotel calls and informs Mark that Kay has run off, leaving a big bill, her phone and a copy of Mark’s last book ‘Break the chain�.
Mark has no one to turn to other than his ex, Olivia who is Kay’s stepmother and a Glasgow cop who is still angry at their recent divorce. As they hunt the Scottish Highlands for his daughter, Mark starts to realise Kay’s disappearance could have something to do with the novel which exposed a cult founder’s real life sexual abuse. What has happened to Kay, has she run away from Mark or more worrying does Hebden have her. Mark and Olivia join forces to search for Kay as they race against time to save her.
I found this an enjoyable read but in my opinion didn’t reach the higher standard of the Scott Cullen books I have been reading.
December 22, 2022
Better than the average Ed James serial
I think I am a Fenchurch and 2 Vicky Dodds short of reading his churners and this is my first standalone. Because he doesn't have to reprise past links this is all fresh apart from his divorces preceding the actual novel.
Half expected Cullen or Dodds to turn up but he sets it almost entirely beyond Inverness within the area of the Highland clearances to which the story gets linked. Left a bit at the end that was untidy and possibly giving him an excuse to revisit the characters. Hopefully not. The lead protagonist is not a police officer and the police officer is his ex-wife. Not a big enough cast for sequel.
I think I am a Fenchurch and 2 Vicky Dodds short of reading his churners and this is my first standalone. Because he doesn't have to reprise past links this is all fresh apart from his divorces preceding the actual novel.
Half expected Cullen or Dodds to turn up but he sets it almost entirely beyond Inverness within the area of the Highland clearances to which the story gets linked. Left a bit at the end that was untidy and possibly giving him an excuse to revisit the characters. Hopefully not. The lead protagonist is not a police officer and the police officer is his ex-wife. Not a big enough cast for sequel.
May 20, 2022
Successful change in genre
I love this author 's police procedural books and was a bit wary about this change in genre. I shouldn't have worried as this is an excellent read. The storyline is excellent and interesting. It made me want to know more about the highlands area and it's history. I did suss out one of the main 'villians' pretty early on (a little too many giveaways), but despite that, the book kept me interested and in suspense from start to finish - and the ending was very unexpected. Thoroughly enjoyable.
I love this author 's police procedural books and was a bit wary about this change in genre. I shouldn't have worried as this is an excellent read. The storyline is excellent and interesting. It made me want to know more about the highlands area and it's history. I did suss out one of the main 'villians' pretty early on (a little too many giveaways), but despite that, the book kept me interested and in suspense from start to finish - and the ending was very unexpected. Thoroughly enjoyable.
May 1, 2022
Great standalone
Long term reader of Ed's series of books, so pleased (and relieved!) when he brings
out a great standalone book.
Different type of main character to his usual books, Mark Campbell is an author whose life is not exactly going to plan, and then his daughter goes missing while working for him.
Read in one sitting as it was a gripping, fast paced book.
Another
Long term reader of Ed's series of books, so pleased (and relieved!) when he brings
out a great standalone book.
Different type of main character to his usual books, Mark Campbell is an author whose life is not exactly going to plan, and then his daughter goes missing while working for him.
Read in one sitting as it was a gripping, fast paced book.
Another
June 7, 2022
This book was quite the read. As I read it, the story had me hooked until I finished it. I thought that what happened was tragic, but as I read on, it became really interesting.
I thought that what happened to Mark was shocking and sad. But the more I read, the more interesting the book became along with his journey.
By the end of the book, I was shocked at the outcome.
Overall, I thought this was a really good read and would love to read this again.
I thought that what happened to Mark was shocking and sad. But the more I read, the more interesting the book became along with his journey.
By the end of the book, I was shocked at the outcome.
Overall, I thought this was a really good read and would love to read this again.
July 16, 2022
Decent reading.
Good storyline. Ed James has a great imagination and keeps the reader interested and keen to find out what happens next. This book didn't disappoint. I'd like to read more of this character Mark and his daughter Kay. Reading of historical events like the Highland clearances was interesting too.
Good storyline. Ed James has a great imagination and keeps the reader interested and keen to find out what happens next. This book didn't disappoint. I'd like to read more of this character Mark and his daughter Kay. Reading of historical events like the Highland clearances was interesting too.
March 21, 2022
Really enjoyed this even more than I thought I would! It’s a standalone set in the Scottish Highlands. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a bit too factual but it wasn’t at all. Interesting characters and sharp witty dialogue and lots of twists to keep you guessing.
May 1, 2022
Cracking Read
Different storyline from what we have come to expect from Ed James,a real page turner couldn't put it down,read it in a single sitting
Thanks for some great new characters
Different storyline from what we have come to expect from Ed James,a real page turner couldn't put it down,read it in a single sitting
Thanks for some great new characters
May 7, 2022
Lost Cause
An apt title for a not very good book, I didn't like the characters or the hackneyed old plot. Not up to your usual high standards. I read it anyway more out of curiosity than anything else.
An apt title for a not very good book, I didn't like the characters or the hackneyed old plot. Not up to your usual high standards. I read it anyway more out of curiosity than anything else.
August 6, 2024
Interesting subject
Refreshing to not have the police as main characters with the story told through the eyes of a troubled writer. Quite well-paced with a few interesting twists and turns in the plot.
Refreshing to not have the police as main characters with the story told through the eyes of a troubled writer. Quite well-paced with a few interesting twists and turns in the plot.
May 6, 2022
Intriguing and suspenseful
Strangely couldn't put this down despite the grammar and punctuation errors which were annoying. Full of suspense and an enjoyable read.
Strangely couldn't put this down despite the grammar and punctuation errors which were annoying. Full of suspense and an enjoyable read.
August 16, 2022
A good solid read made more interesting as I had recently visited Helmsdale en route to Orkney.
May 31, 2024
Different
Different ed James than I am used to. Took along time to get somewhere and then have everything come together, but it was worth it.
Different ed James than I am used to. Took along time to get somewhere and then have everything come together, but it was worth it.
April 12, 2023
Enjoyed the book bit long in places, Mark is a complicated has a few issues, Good storyline and characters and yes it is Magic
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