“Finders Keepers” is Belinda Bauer’s third novel and, like its predecessors, it is set in the tiny, picturesque village of Shipcott on Exmoor.   It is the height of Summer and tourists usually swarm to this scenic location but children are going missing, stolen from cars and the local police force are out of their depth.

This is a gripping read, not for the faint-hearted, with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.  I really enjoyed Belinda Bauer’s debut novel, Blacklands, and she has a knack for creating atmospheric settings and interesting, believable characters.   I was particularly engaged by Jonas Holly, the emotionally damaged policeman who is still reeling from the violent death of his wife.   The teenager Stephen Lamb, himself traumatised by past events, doubts Jonas’ innocence – could he be behind the childrens’ disappearance?

“Finders Keepers” can work as a stand-alone novel but the reader might have a more complete picture of Stephen and Jonas by reading the previous novels first.  Another impressive, intelligent novel from a very talented writer – I’m looking forward to the next instalment, if Shipcott can stand any more excitement!!

Like you, I really enjoyed Blacklands, but have not yet read her second book.

Thanks for the review Treez, you've really whetted my appetite.

 I missed the second one so will have to go back and read it now.  I think she's getting better and better with each book.

I thought Blacklands was very good too. I've had the second book tbr for ages and still haven't read it yet. Thanks for the review of this one Treez!

I've just finished reading finders keepers. I really enjoyed Blacklands and mistakenly thought this was her second novel but its her third and they are in sequence so I kept feeling I'd missed an awful lot of points they kept referring back to.

I enjoyed the writing and the way the story flowed, great characters and she's a very accomplished writer - but I did find the story extremely far fetched, how come all these dreadful crimes keep occurring to the same people in a small place? and the crime which was committed - well really - it was a touch too much for even my vivid imagination but maybe thats why crime fiction isn't one of my favourite genres.

My thoughts echo Jan's - enjoyed it but it did get a bit surreal/unbelievable towards the end.

And for what it's worth I think you really do have to read the second book before this one.  There are so many references to what happened to Jonas and his wife in Dark Side, that it's almost like a continuation of the same story.  (I hadn't read book 2, so needless to say found it quite frustrating at times.)