Revisiting the past threatens a woman's future, in a stunning new thriller by the author of The Good Child. Emma and I did everything together—including getting kidnapped . . . As teenagers, we were both taken but only I survived. I promised myself that I would tell my story, and Emma's story, when the time was right. Now here we are. I'm on the cusp of launching my true crime novel which is predicted to be a huge bestseller. Life is good. I have a home, a dog, and a woman who loves me—but I'm a complete fraud. Worse still, someone knows it. One way or another, I'll find the person who is threatening me. One way or another, I'll stop them. Whoever is sending me sinister fan mail, whoever is hoping to ruin it all, they should know one thing: I'll do whatever it takes to survive. I've done it before, and I'll do it again . . . "Mind. Blown!" —Amazon reviewer, five stars "Excellent thriller!" —Goodreads reviewer, five stars "A brilliant twist . . . keeps you gripped." —Amazon reviewer, five stars Praise for the novels of Charlotte Barnes "An addictive read . . . a really well written and enjoyable psychological thriller." — Donna's Book Blog "Smartly plotted. . . . Definitely an author to watch!" —Grace J ReviewerladyCharlotte Barnes (Charley to her long-time pals) is a Worcestershire-based writer and poet who has recently achieved her Doctorate degree in Creative Writing, and now spends a lot of her time wondering what to do with it. She is a lecturer, content writer, tea-drinker and book-reader with a passion for psychological thrillers that shines through her own work. Barnes is also one of three directors of Worcestershire LitFest and Fringe literary festival and, independently of this, she runs her own monthly open mic/spoken word event in Worcester City Centre, titled Dear Listener. She published her debut short story collection in May 2017, titled The Women You Were Warned About (Black Pear Press), and her debut poetry pamphlet, A Z-hearted Guide to Heartache, was published in July 2018 (V. Press). Never Forget Your First is Barnes's debut novel, which was published with Bloodhound Books in 2019. For writerly updates you can follow Barnes on Twitter: @charleyblogsIntro
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Epilogue
Outro