Nowhere Girl by Ruth Dugdall #Blogathon

I've learnt my lesson from earlier in the week and have revamped to a cafe to escape the noise at home! We're on to the last book in our Ruth Dugdall blogathon, Nowhere Girl. And there's been a change of scenery. No longer in Suffolk, this book finds Cate in Luxembourg. My thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for inviting me and to the publisher for my review copy.

The Blurb

When Ellie goes missing on the first day of Schueberfouer, the police are dismissive, keen not to attract negative attention on one of Luxembourg's most important events.

Probation officer Cate Austin has moved to Luxembourg for a fresh start with her police detective boyfriend. But when she sees how casually he is taking the disappearance of Ellie, Cate decides to investigate matters for herself.

She discovers Luxembourg has a dark heart. With its geographical position, could it be the centre of a child trafficking ring? As Cate comes closer to discovering Ellie's whereabouts she uncovers a hidden world, placing herself in danger, not just from traffickers, but from a source much closer to home.

My Review

Cate has left the probation service and her and daughter Amelia are making a new life in Luxembourg with Cate's boyfriend Olivier. But when the older sister of one of Amelia's new friends goes missing and the police almost write it off as a teenage strop, Cate has a feeling it's more than that and investigates herself...

There is a very different feel to this book from the previous ones in the series. Cate is in a new country, a new relationship and doesn't have a job. She's adjusting to this new life and enjoying the positive things it brings, whilst still getting to know her partner and worrying about her mum and sister back home. Whilst she is initially reluctant to get involved with finding the missing girl, she soon gets the bit between her teeth and has to consider how far to go and what's at risk...  

I think this might be my favourite of the four I've read. They've all had slightly different approaches but this is a completely fresh setting and I really enjoyed that. Also whilst it talks about trafficking, there is interesting stuff about families who choose 'harraga' - travelling undocumented - and why. 

The storyline made for uncomfortable reading at some points due to its nature but definitely worth it, and there are some really interesting, well drawn characters - Amina was a stand out for me. I really enjoyed Nowhere Girl and suggest you give it, and others in the series a go. 

The Author

Ruth studied English at university and then took an MA is Social Work. Following this she worked in the Criminal Justice System as a social worker then as a probation officer. Part of this time was spent seconded to a prison housing serious offenders. She continues to work within the Criminal Justice System, most recently in Luxembourg.

Ruth's novels are informed by her experience and are "authentic and credible".

Ruth's first novel, The James Version, is a historical fiction based on the actual murder of Maria Marten at the Red Barn in Suffolk. The story is re-told with a fresh light on who really killed Maria.

Her second novel, The Woman Before Me, won the Debut Dagger when it was originally published in 2005. It is the first in a series featuring probation officer Cate Austin.

"Probation officers have more face-to-face contact with criminals than any other profession," says Ruth, "they are the unsung heroes of the Criminal Justice System."