I borrowed this because it was recommended in the Booklist magazine as being a mystery centered around a podcast, and also because I remember enjoying Nicci French’s Freida Klein series (which I need to continue and finish).
Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? is, like the title says, about the disappearance of Charlotte Salter, who never showed up to her husband’s 50th birthday party. It’s also about the death of Duncan, who died the next day under mysterious circumstances. Both cases were never closed and so, over 30 years later, Duncan’s sons are making a podcast for closure. Coincidentally, Charlotte’s children are back together as they prepare to move their father into a care facility and when yet another murder pops up, it becomes clear that the past isn’t fully in the past.
I have to give it to the book: it is addictive. I had trouble putting it down and I finished it was earlier than I expected. I was kept hooked by the mystery the whole time and was quite desperate to know the solution. I also appreciated that the story kept chronological order; I think it’s quite common to do a dual timeline for these kind of books but it made sense to have it start in 1990 and then jump to 2022.
But at the same time, I did find some parts of it abrupt. This is later in the book so I don’t want to be too specific, but we are introduced to a new character in media res and while she does become quite central to the story, I never quite figured out why her personal life was so important. Was it just to mirror themes that were present in the main plot? Or is this part of a series and I just didn’t know that I jumped into a pre-existing character’s story?
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this story. It’s true that the podcast is central to the plot, but it’s more of an inciting incident. If you want to read a book with a podcast format, then I think something like Sadie or the Six Stories series might be more for you. Otherwise, though, I found this to be an exciting mystery that kept me hooked till the end.
P.s. As you may noticed, I’m back for October! From next Monday, I’ll be alternating book reviews with travel posts (though more review-y than what I wrote for Okinawa) and I hope you enjoy it!
I’ll add this to my tbr. I’ve been thinking of this author duo recently. Been thinking of reading the second Frieda book. I’d only read the first.
I remember the Frieda books as slightly quirky (I mean Frieda, but also the mysteries I guess) but I enjoyed them. I really need to continue since I think it’s a max of 7 (assuming it just follows the days of the week).
I think you’re right. I remember a vlogger saying that book titles are based on the days of the week.
It’s a pity when aspects of the book drop down it’s rating, I get especially annoyed with characters that are introed mid book and turn out to be useless!!
Yeah, luckily most characters played a role here but I really did wonder if I was missing something! Though overall I still enjoyed this one!