Never Come Back by David Bell

October 11th, 2013 Kimberly Review 59 Comments

11th Oct
Never Come Back by David Bell
Never Come Back
by David Bell
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Elizabeth Hampton is consumed by grief when her mother dies unexpectedly. Leslie Hampton cared for Elizabeth’s troubled brother Ronnie’s special needs, assuming Elizabeth would take him in when the time came. But Leslie’s sudden death propels Elizabeth into a world of danger and double lives that undoes everything she thought she knew.... When police discover that Leslie was strangled, they immediately suspect that one of Ronnie’s outbursts took a tragic turn. Elizabeth can’t believe that her brother is capable of murder, but who else could have had a motive to kill their quiet, retired mother? More questions arise when a stranger is named in Leslie’s will: a woman also named Elizabeth. As the family’s secrets unravel, a man from Leslie’s past who claims to have all the answers shows up, but those answers might put Elizabeth and those she loves the most in mortal danger.

Never Come Back by David Bell delivered a fascinating story with fleshed out characters that I could not put down. I consumed this in a single sitting, and it was a welcome addition to this author’s shelf. Murder, secrets, confessions, danger all ensue as Elizabeth searches for answers and uncovers truths about her mother. Three word review: suspenseful, mystery, and a real page-turner.

From the first pages of Never Come Back,you will find yourself hooked, as protagonist Elizabeth Hampton arrives at the home of her mother and older brother Ronnie, a high-function man with Down-syndrome. She arrives out of breath to their home after being summoned by the local police department. Her mother Leslie is dead, and the police think Ronnie is their number one suspect. Elizabeth’s world is turned upside down, as she tries to protect her brother, and uncover secrets as an unknown woman is named in her mother’s will. The tale that unfolds is riveting as we search for answers along with Elizabeth.

All of the characters have a unique voice in Never Come Back which totally added to my enjoyment. Elizabeth has issues, guilt and tends to close people off when they get to close, but she is well liked by those around her. Despite being thrust into being her brother’s protector and having all of these secrets and lies pop up, she is a surprising level headed. Even when she leans on others she takes the time to appreciate them and I connected with her. Ronnie is quiet, trusting and concerned for Elizabeth and while he was the least fleshed out of the characters, I found him endearing. Leslie’s brother steps in to shoulder some of the weight for Elizabeth as did her ex-boyfriend. The mysterious older woman named Elizabeth and a man from Leslie’s past kept me on the edge of my seat as we learned about them.

David Bell can weave a mystery thriller, and he continues to amaze me. Usually I can figure things out before the big reveal in the end, and Bell surprised me. As things were revealed, I found myself completely immersed in the tale as the story increased in intensity. Never Come Back had such a believable storyline. I loved how Bell had command of all of the threads and that nothing felt forced as we gathered clues, questioned motives and worried about our protagonist. This is an excellent story for someone who wants a character driven mystery filled with suspense that won’t make you afraid to turn out the lights.

Fans of mystery, thrillers and suspense,will enjoy reading Never Come Back. David Bell is an auto-buy for me. I love his skillfully crafted mysteries, and unique, fleshed out characters.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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59 Responses to “Never Come Back by David Bell”

  1. Chene Sterckx

    Wow this book sounds intense and brilliant! When I am in the mood for a good suspense mystery I will look this one up 🙂

    Great Review Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Chene, I really enjoy this author’s brand of mystery and hope you get to try it 🙂

  3. Denise Z

    I love a book that I can become emotionally involved in the characters. It sounds like Elizabeth is a character I would like to get to know. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, this author is new to me and I am intrigued.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Denise, good luck to you. I love Bell’s style and mysteries and I hope you get a chance to meet Elizabeth.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I adore this author and his mysteries, perfect for fall 🙂

  7. Terrie Fulk

    I enjoy a mystery thriller that keeps you guessing and intrigued. I also appreciate unpredictability. “Never Come Back” seems to be one of those books.

  8. David Bell

    I’m blown away by all the nice comments here. If any of you are in a book club and read NEVER COME BACK, let me know. I love to Skype with book clubs. Thanks!

  9. Hillary R.

    I like how you said, “Murder, secrets, confessions, danger.” That really caught my attention. Lately I’ve been really into mystery thriller’s but I don’t seem to be able to find any good ones. I like that you thought Never Come Back was a page turned because it means I wouldn’t lag on reading the story. Thanks for writing a great review! This one sounds like a keeper 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Hillary, I really enjoy this author and hope you get a chance to read Never Come Back 🙂

  11. Anita Yancey

    This book sounds like a great story. I just love mystery and would like to find out what the family secrets are. I would enjoy reading this book. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Anita, good luck and I hope you get to try this 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Pamela, it has some great threads, and I love trying to piece it all together.

  13. Melissa (Books and Things)

    I really do enjoy thrillers and I think I’m needing one soon. They are my form of horror books. 😀 …or the closest I’ll get to one. LOL Hm… I do think I’ll have to try this author!

  14. Lauren

    I love single-sitting reads, and if Bell is an auto-buy author for you, I trust this is going to be good. I’m actually in the mood for a mystery, so maybe I’ll buy this for the weekend. Awesome review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I haven’t been disappointed by him yet, and if you check my related content below you will see his last two books 🙂

  15. Tabitha the Pabkins

    Oh zowwy is April going to love this one! I think I grabbed it for her from BEA – I’ll have to ask her. It is so totally her kind of book!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Ooo I wonder if she has read any of his other books? Thanks Pabs 🙂

  16. Tanja

    This is the first time I’m hearing of this book and it sounds like a mystery book done well. I love the sound of it and it sounds so intriguing that I must read it. I love books that you read in one sitting. Great review 🙂

  17. Tammy

    I love it when a book is so good you want to read it in one sitting.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Me too Tammy, it is a high I chase in books all the time, and then I get sad because I consumed it and have to wait another year for a new book from the author..LOL

  18. braine

    A character driven mystery huh, I swear we have similar tastes in whodunit novels. I love the sound of this, its looks like its mentally engaging as well as emotional. Thanks for the giveaway

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Braine and I so hope you try this or any one of David’s books, I love his brand of mystery:)

  19. Candace

    I always get so curious- I read a review that hints at things that happened and I start DYING to know what was going on! I guess that’s a good hook, right? I have been enjoying mysteries much more this year and this sounds great!

  20. Michele

    This sounds fascinating! It’s been a while since I read a really great mystery and this is definitely going on my reading list. Terrific review, Kimba! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend!
    ~Michele

    • kimbacaffeinate

      totally Brandi, I hope you get a chance to read this or one of his other novels. 🙂

  22. kindlemom1

    I haven’t heard of this one and I just love that cover! I am so glad this is an author that you can trust to deliver a good mystery, that is hard to come by these days it seems.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Ali, David is on my auto-buy and I love opening up his novels, curling up and sinking into a good mystery 🙂

  24. Giselle

    Oh wow this sounds like a really good book and right up my alley with the suspense, too! Plus character development is often overlooked in mysteries and thrillers I find so that’s another plus in this one! Great review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes Giselle I think you would enjoy David’s books, especially this one 🙂

  25. Cindi Clubbs

    I love mysteries and this one sounds like a doozy–did her brother kill her mom? who is the elizabeth in the will? who is the mystery man? Awesome!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Exactly Cindi, it was a fun ride, and I hope you get a chance to read it 🙂

  26. Jenny

    I love the sound of this one Kim! It’s always so great in a mystery/thriller when you just know the author is at least 5 steps ahead of you and has complete control over the story – nothing rushed at the end, nothing convenient happening to tie up loose ends, just a brilliant story. Fantastic review!

  28. Mary

    Well, this sounds interesting! I definitely like the unique characters and I’m already imagining how hard it would be to be your brother’s caregiver. GOod for her!

  29. Jenea

    Elizabeth and Ronnie sounds great, but the mystery woman has me curious. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Great review.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      too many murders heh? I know how that feels I just read a bunch of romances after almost three weeks of horror, dystopian and mystery 🙂