{"product_id":"the-village-a-brilliantly-chilling-and-thrilling-mystery-debut-novel-9781398716490","title":"The Village: A Brilliantly Chilling and Thrilling Mystery Debut Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003e'\u003cb\u003eAn absolute page-turner\u003c\/b\u003e, I'm actually on pins waiting for the story to unfold and \u003cb\u003emy anxiety is through the roof\u003c\/b\u003e. And \u003cb\u003ewhat\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ea jaw-swinging, heart-palpitating ending\u003c\/b\u003e this book has, too!... An easy 5 star for me.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe debris from the party the night before is scattered underneath the village tree and across the cobbles. Red wine stains the ground like blood. And Joni has vanished.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEveryone in the village loves \u003cb\u003eJoni Blackwood\u003c\/b\u003e. She is beautiful and bold, and it's no surprise to anyone when on the annual village bonfire, she is crowned 'queen' of the festivities. After all, despite fierce competition from the charity-giving and churchgoing mothers in the village, she has won this honour five years in a row. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut this year, the morning after the party is not like the mornings before. This year, Joni is missing, the shower left running in her cottage. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen the next day, human remains are found in the church graveyard, everyone is quick to assume that the mystery of Joni's whereabouts has had a swift and deadly answer. But when it's revealed that the remains are the small bones of a baby, it's clear that Joni's disappearance only marks the start of dark truths in the village coming to light. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eIf the remains aren't Joni's, did she vanish because she put them there? Or because she knows who did?\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Vanishing of Joni Blackwood\u003c\/i\u003e is an utterly compelling mystery with a twist you won't see coming. Perfect for fans of C J Tudor, Caroline Mitchell and Erin Kelly.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRead what everyone is saying about \u003ci\u003eThe Vanishing of Joni Blackwood\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'I \u003cb\u003eabsolutelyyyyyyy loved the atmospheric setting\u003c\/b\u003e of the small village... \u003cb\u003eAnd that final reveal? Wow!\u003c\/b\u003e I didn't see it coming at all.... You'll love this one. It's \u003cb\u003ea real page-turner\u003c\/b\u003e, and I can't wait to read more from Lisa Rookes' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'Lisa Rookes has written \u003cb\u003ea gem of a book\u003c\/b\u003e. It's small town claustrophobia that \u003cb\u003ebites in all the right places\u003c\/b\u003e. A \u003cb\u003esurefire five star read\u003c\/b\u003e.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'I meannnnn \u003cb\u003eI am currently jaw to the floor\u003c\/b\u003e. I was not expecting \u003cb\u003ethat very end twist!!! \u003c\/b\u003eThis was \u003cb\u003esuch a wild ride\u003c\/b\u003e and I honestly don't feel a review can do the twists and turns justice, \u003cb\u003eyou just need to go and read it\u003c\/b\u003e... Small town... drama... \u003cb\u003eit's got it all\u003c\/b\u003e.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'A crime fiction trope that \u003cb\u003eI really, really love \u003c\/b\u003eis a small town mystery... I was really shocked that this was a debut novel, it's got \u003cb\u003ea very distinctive voice\u003c\/b\u003e and the mystery is complex and develops in a really \u003cb\u003eunexpected\u003c\/b\u003e way. \u003cb\u003eA brilliant set of characters\u003c\/b\u003e, and the Northern setting of a small village near Sheffield was perfect for this \u003cb\u003estoryline full of secrets and suspense\u003c\/b\u003e.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'\u003cb\u003eA page-turner from the first chapter\u003c\/b\u003e... The author did a wonderful job describing relationships and their dynamics... Creepy, \u003cb\u003etwisty\u003c\/b\u003e... There are a lot of times that make you wonder if your predictions of what is going to happen next or who may not be the best person(s) are true... \u003cb\u003eCannot wait to read more\u003c\/b\u003e from this author.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'\u003cb\u003eI was hooked...\u003c\/b\u003e It\u003cb\u003e had everything that I was hoping for \u003c\/b\u003ein the mystery element. It was \u003cb\u003ea unique world...\u003c\/b\u003e Lisa Rookes has a \u003cb\u003egreat writing style \u003c\/b\u003eand I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLisa is an award-winning journalist and lecturer. She spent the start of her career as a crime reporter and news editor before moving to national newspapers and women's magazines. She is currently head of the undergraduate Journalism programme at the University of Sheffield and has won further multiple awards for her teaching. Her debut gothic thriller \u003ci\u003eThe Village\u003c\/i\u003e is published in 2025. She lives in Holmfirth in South Yorkshire with her husband, two sons, an arthritic Labrador and a disabled pug.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Orion","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51321667551506,"sku":"9781398716490","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_3695582f-8653-46b8-884e-b6981f18b0c4.jpg?v=1748592345","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-village-a-brilliantly-chilling-and-thrilling-mystery-debut-novel-9781398716490","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}