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Susanna Beard
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THE LOST BROTHER a totally compelling psychological thriller with an electrifying finish (Suspense novels) Kindle Edition

by SUSANNA BEARD (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,588 ratings
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The writing pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until the very last line . . . I can’t wait to read more by Susanna Beard!” Robyn B.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book really surprised me. In a good way!” Thea G.

A brother sent away.

A sister in a loveless home.

A father ruthlessly murdered.

Ricky and Leonora Bates are brother and sister, best friends, allies in a loveless family.

They are a constant disappointment to their domineering father.

He views Ricky’s quiet bookishness as weakness and Leonora’s feisty intelligence as unbecoming.

Then Ricky is sent away to a boarding school in South Africa to “toughen him up”. And Leonora is stuck dealing with her dysfunctional parents on her own.

The unthinkable happens.

Leonora’s father travels to South Africa to bring Ricky home. Disaster strikes. Her father is shot dead. And her brother is nowhere to be found.

Now Leonora must find the truth.

Susanna Beard is in top form in this utterly absorbing take on family betrayal, dark secrets and deep trauma that will keep you guessing until its chilling conclusion.

Perfect for fans of Girl A, Gillian Flynn, T.M. Logan, B.A. Paris, Liane Moriarty, Claire Dyer, Sam Carrington, Celeste Ng.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SUSANNA BEARD:

“This novel bears all the hallmarks of a great thriller. It not only deals with huge issues like greed, guilt, evil and revenge, but with Anna’s deeply personal search for justice, reconciliation, forgiveness and trust. Her journey takes her to the very limits of herself but, at its heart, [this] is also a story about love in its best forms and I defy anyone not to get swept up in it.” Claire Dyer, author of The Last Day

“It is taut and tense and builds to an electrifying conclusion.” Kirsten Hesketh, author of Another Us

“Articulate and gripping — an impressive achievement.” Shelley Weiner, author of The Sister’s Tale

“I enjoyed Susanna’s emotive and thought-provoking novel — I thought it was an engrossing mystery.” Sam Carrington, author of I Dare You

ALSO BY SUSANNA BEARD
THE PERFECT LIFE
THE GIRL ON THE BEACH
WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT
THE LOST BROTHER
THE PERFECT NEIGHBOUR
THE PERFECT WITNESS
Read more
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  1. Print length
    286 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    February 11, 2021
  5. File size
    1.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

DISCOVER A SELECTION OF COMPELLING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS

Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, T.M. Logan, B.A. Paris, Liane Moriarty, Claire Dyer, Sam Carrington, and Celeste Ng.

THE PERFECT LIFE
THE LOST BROTHER
THE GIRL ON THE BEACH
WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT
THE PERFECT NEIGHBOUR
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Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars 5,815
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,588
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,271
4.0 out of 5 stars 4,425
4.2 out of 5 stars 5,815
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08TRN38YT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books psychological thrillers
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 11, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1789316018
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,588 ratings

About the author

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Susanna Beard

Susanna Beard

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Thriller writer Susanna is fascinated by human relationships. She can be found people-watching wherever she goes, finding material for her writing. Despite the writer’s life, she has an adventurous streak and has swum with whale sharks in Australia, fallen down a crevasse in the French Alps and walked through the sewers of Brighton - not in that order.

Her passions include animals — particularly her dogs — wildlife and tennis, which clears her brain of pretty much everything.

Susanna’s latest psychological thriller, The Perfect Witness, launches 30th March, 2022. It joins Susanna's five other books, all available on Amazon and published by Joffe Books.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,588 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and engaging from start to finish, with compelling characters. The story receives mixed reactions - while some appreciate its portrayal of sibling bonds, others express disappointment with the ending.

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ReadabilityCharacter developmentPacingHeartfelt story
12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and wonderful to read, with one mentioning they couldn't stop reading it.

"I absolutely loved this book. The colorful imagery was captivating and made me feel like I was there to witness it...." Read more

"...Thank you for writing this book and I am sure many people will relate to your story." Read more

"Loved this story, but very sad most of the time...." Read more

"...But, I loved her writing, and have already bought WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT her next book." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them compelling.

"Loved this story, but very sad most of the time. The two main characters showed so much love, devotion, courage & never ending determination to find..." Read more

"...reading The Little Princess years ago as a little girl...beautifully written characters.... You get to know brother and sister...the sister's..." Read more

"This was so gripping and the characters so compelling, I couldn't even put it down to sleep until the end!" Read more

"Enjoyed the characters! The suspense was great! Couldn’t stop reading!Just had to keep hoping for the best! Loved this book!" Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging, with one customer noting it was gripping from page one and kept them interested throughout.

"This was well written, engaging from start to finish. It is imaginative and a real cliffhanger. I recommend it highly." Read more

"...Secrets, dysfunction, grief and loss, and mystery. A never giving up quest to require and build a new future while healing a toxic past." Read more

"This was so gripping and the characters so compelling, I couldn't even put it down to sleep until the end!" Read more

"Gripped me from page one. Kept me interested page after page. Did not want the book to end. Wonderful read." Read more

14 customers mention "Heartfelt story"9 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's emotional content, with some appreciating its portrayal of sibling bonds and mystery elements, while others find it very sad throughout and express disappointment with the ending.

"...The two main characters showed so much love, devotion, courage & never ending determination to find each other...." Read more

"This is a wonderful story of the dedication of two siblings and an extraordinary bond between them...." Read more

"I am thoroughly disappointed. A true ***** book with a * ending. The author should have quit at the end of Chapter 51 for a ***** rating...." Read more

"...It is imaginative and a real cliffhanger. I recommend it highly." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Denise
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Story of Sibling Bonds
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely loved this book. The colorful imagery was captivating and made me feel like I was there to witness it.
    It’s sad that the childhood they endured was not happy but it was made bearable by the bond between Ricky and Leo.
    It was amazing what they were able to accomplish and the ending was very satisfying.
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  • Linda Marie Dudley
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Family Secrets
    Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I named your book, The Family Secrets, because of the sadness and hurt the family endured because of one angry man. He had so much anger in his heart that he almost destroyed the entire family. He robbed his wife of happiness and yet the children survived on their love for each other.
    Many parts of the book were so similar to my childhood and it demonstrated how children can survive if they receive love from at least one parent or friend.
    Thank you for writing this book and I am sure many people will relate to your story.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Geri Bee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this read !!!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this story, but very sad most of the time. The two main characters showed so much love, devotion, courage & never ending determination to find each other.However , I think their meeting, and the ending could of been strong er. But a very powerful read!!!!!!!
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  • Ted Duke
    3.0 out of 5 stars Loved the writing, disappointed in the ending!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I am thoroughly disappointed. A true ***** book with a * ending.

    The author should have quit at the end of Chapter 51 for a ***** rating. I grudgingly give it ***'s.

    IF the information that comes out in the last TWO chapters is really part of the story, then why did RICKY not find his sister as soon as he could, to comfort her, to receive comfort from her, to share the brooch, to share the truth. The ending makes no sense to me.

    Was it a social justice thing that had be included? Truly deplorable actions by the father, but it doesn't fit the rest of the story, and makes Ricky's tale inexplicable.

    But, I loved her writing, and have already bought WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT her next book.
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  • Wanda Downs
    5.0 out of 5 stars the lost brother
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
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    A brother and sister who are very close to each other and live in a home with an unloving father and a weak willed mother and what happens to them.
    The brother is sent to another country to live and go to school. The sister is beyond desolate without him. If you want to know the rest of the story read the book . It is an excellent book
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  • Jilly of the Valley
    4.0 out of 5 stars All happy families are alike
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    But each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Leo Tolstoy wrote that. This is the story of one of those unhappy families—abusive father, alcoholic mother, and a brother and sister who are extremely close. When Ricky is 12 and his sister Leonora, who he calls Leo, is 10, their father decides to send him to boarding school in South Africa to “toughen him up, make a man of him”, he says. It becomes obvious to Leonora that part of the purpose, at least, is to separate the two of them, as their letters to each other don’t get past their father. They devise a way to get around this, however. Ricky is only allowed to come home once on vacation the entire time he’s at school; after that he’s forced to stay in South Africa. However, he develops a strong relationship with the wildlife science teacher at the school and he also becomes very good at shooting, which is a sanctioned school sport. When he graduates, his father comes to visit and insists they go on a camping trip. But the father doesn’t return home, and Ricky disappears. Leonora is left to wonder what happened, and to spend several years searching for him, especially after the police visit her with the news that her father was found shot to death in South Africa and Ricky was a suspect. The story is told in alternating voices, Ricky’s and Leonora’s. I wouldn’t really call it a psychological thriller, although that’s how it’s marketed. The finish isn’t
    “electrifying” as the blurb says either. In fact, I didn’t even find it particularly surprising. But it was a decent enough story of its type.
    Helpful
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  • Susan Blair Drago
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful story of the dedication of two siblings and an extraordinary bond between them. A bond created by living in fear of a cruel father and a mother who hasn't the strength to leave him.

    I highly recommend this book!
    Helpful
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  • A. Di.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was well written, engaging from start to finish. It is imaginative and a real cliffhanger. I recommend it highly.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Nomadicdragon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just wow
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    from the very first sentence this book drew me into its charm, it's passion, it's characters, but above all it's sheer emotion. Then, for the entire book, I couldn't stop inhaling it's words as if my wellbeing depended on it. Then, that beautiful little twist just before the ending. So wonderfully written, the words fit together perfectly, almost poetically, to create the final whole like a jigsaw completion. My first book by this author will certainly not be my last.
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  • samiotissa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fin et intelligent
    Reviewed in France on September 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Remarquable.
    Report
  • Zebo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Very complex yet haunting tale of a domestic abuse scenario that impacts the kids forever. Even apart, they strive to yet again find each other and this tale is compelling, gripping and relatable. Would recommend
    Report
  • Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great book read in a couple of days
    Report
  • Carole Billington
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Susanna Beard is a great writer. Really enjoyed The lost Brother. Hard to put down. Couldn't wait to see how it ended and I was not disappointed. Fantastic book.
    Report

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