Mandy McHugh

Chloe Cates is Missing by Mandy McHugh is a 2022 Scarlet publication.

Chloe Cates is the thirteen- year-old internet blog star of CC and Me- created by her mother, Jennifer. Her charmed life is all an illusion, though. Chloe’s real name is Abby- she has no friends, is homeschooled, and her every move is choreographed for her mother’s blog- and she’s absolutely miserable.

When 'Chloe' goes missing, Jennifer tries to spin it- keep it all under control- but when a body is found on the edge of their property the secrets, manipulations, and lies begin to unravel…

This is a thought-provoking and chilling thriller that could also double as a cautionary tale. The revelations are well-timed, and the twists are dark and disturbing.

Though the reader will need to suspend belief here and there, and the characterizations are perhaps a bit too exaggerated, I thought the depiction of the underbelly of internet fame- especially with kids as influencers, was handled well- and is probably more accurate than we would like to think.

Overall, I didn’t catch a lot of hype around this one- so I’d say it is a bit underrated. It’s a good, solid, absorbing, fast and compact little thriller. I really liked it!

4 stars!… (plus d'informations)

Chloe Cates Is Missing was an interesting story but ultimately I wanted more.

The premise was good but sadly I just didn't connect with the characters.
Unreliable narrators and characters you honestly don't know if you like them, hate them or you just feel sorry for them.
The story is told from multiple points of views.
And some is told from a diary entry. (Chloe Cates)
The pacing in my opinion felt slow.... Oh so slow for my liking.
And the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all, I guess I wanted more from the ending. And that's my bad. High expectations I guess!

I wish I could have enjoyed this more, I really tried but I wouldn't consider this a thriller at all.

Thank You Publisher for this eARC!… (plus d'informations)