He’s Gone by Alex Clare
How do you find a missing child when his mother doesn't believe you have the right to even exist? When Detective Inspector Roger Bailley returns to work as Robyn, all she wants is to get on with the job she loves while finally being herself.
When three-year-old Ben Chivers is snatched from a shopping centre on her first day back at work, Robyn has to find Ben and herself as she deals with the reactions of her police colleagues, the media and her own daughter.
About the author
After nearly twenty years of being a committed corporate person, Alex Clare was made redundant. She had always enjoyed writing, studying fiction part-time through the Open
University and managing to complete a novel in her commuting time, though no one had ever read it. After a period focusing on short stories, she wanted to try another novel.
Inspiration came from watching Parliament debate the Equal Marriage Act in 2013. Astounded by the intensity of feeling generated, she created a fictional world to explore some of the issues and attitudes
Review
‘He’s Gone’ is the start of a series based on the character DI Robyn Bailey, a trans woman and was not one I aware of. Thankfully I now as I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an eye opening account into the world of one week identifying as male in a work place whilst struggling internally with gender dysphoria and then coming back and showing as a woman. It was also a taut and compelling read as the crime narrative was just as strong as the character's story. I devoured this book in one sitting as I was so invested in the story and wanted to find Ben, the missing toddler!
It was really refreshing to read a book in this genre which concentrated on being trans in today's society. It shows that there is such diversity in this genre today. I definitely have not read anything like this before on this topic. It came across as being very well researched and authentic. Alex shows that she has a lot of empathy for those going through this and I loved all the small details like the shape of clothes, having to tell friends and family etc. Well, that last one is quite a big issue I'm sure but it was handled delicately and with love. I can't wait to read the rest of the series to see how Robyn’s story progresses and evolves.
The case of the missing child was full of tension and drama right from the start. Oh, how I hated his mother though - super cold and horrible to Robyn by refusing to deal with this ‘evil’! But also towards her child as well! It was a case that pulled in me and kept me turning the pages till very early in the morning. I must admit I didn't cotton on to what was happening until quite far into the book and was very surprised when I did! It was full of twists and turns and I was hooked throughout it!
I will be reviewing the next two books in the series in the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled for those!
