DCI Tom Douglas is back for his ninth instalment and this time it will stretch his investigative skills to their very limits.

A knock at the door turns Jo Palmer's life into a waking nightmare.

The police have taken her partner Ash into custody for questioning over accusations of abuse of his step-daughter Millie. Social services have taken Millie to interview her about her stepdad and Jo is left at home, alone, full of fear, doubts and questions of her own.

As if that wasn't bad enough, as time ticks on and she has heard nothing back from either the police or social services she places a phone call to the police for an update. Only the police have no idea what she is talking about. There are no records of any officers ever attending their property and social services have never heard of the family. The only explanation being, whoever has taken Ash and Milly have kidnapped the pair. But why is a mystery to everyone, one that needs to be solved if there is any chance of getting the pair back alive.

And so begins an investigation that leads both police and Jo down unknown roads with some unexpected results.

What began with a normal day, with a normal family, by the end of the day a young girl and her father have been brazenly abducted by a group of people claiming to be from the police and social services, right in front of Jo's very eyes.

Even though this is the ninth instalment of a series this book reads perfectly as a standalone, which is a good thing because this is the first book I have read by Rachel Abbott, so if like me you are new to this series don't let that hold you back as it is a brilliant read in its own rights.

It is fast paced and full of some memorable characters and a protagonist that most will find relatable. The plot line is full of some clever misdirections that will keep you fully engaged and keep you guessing right up until the shocking twist is revealed. With there being so many good books in this genre I feel it is getting harder and harder for authors to keep readers guessing but in 'Right Behind You', Rachel Abbott has managed to do just that. She has cracked the cliched 'shocking twist you won't see coming' masterfully making this a book to not be missed for any fans of psychological thrillers. ( )

A police procedural/thriller set in Manchester, the characters are vivid, and the underlying plot believable.

Like most of the books in the series, this book can be read as a stand-alone, although there are threads that connect the book to earlier titles, mainly to do with the personal life of Tom Douglas. If you are new to the series, this one will send you looking for earlier titles. ( )