The rest of the book races through the evening, as they try to find Claire. As the police investigate, Emma soon realizes that some of her coworkers she thought were friends were anything but. Everyone seems to be lying, who can she trust? We also get the first-person narrative of the kidnapper thrown in, and “The Plan” is definitely unhinged. The day takes a turn when one child goes missing, and as a the reader, you are immediately put in panic mode. Unfortunately, that is only the start of the horrible day to come.

The pace is good, the build up is good and it gives you the confidence and urgency to carry on reading. All across the USA, people are showing up dead. The deaths don't appear to be connected in any way until one particular death occurs and gets the Secretary of Defense's attention. He arranges for a task force to investigate. But the day is almost at an end and night is drawing in, meaning they are now losing daylight. If Claire is out there, she will be in the dark and frightened. But the owner of the farm reassures her that all sections of the farm are now closed so she won't be anywhere on the property. So where is she? And then police discover park footage of Claire leaving with an unknown person. A stranger. But Claire wouldn't have left with a stranger...so who is it that lead her child out of the park? OH MY GOSH… amazing. I literally lost sleep to finish it… gripping… twists that were nail-bitingly good… had me on the edge of my seat. I loved it.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐But who could want to punish me this badly? Is it linked to the night I refuse to think about-the terrible night my husband died? On this crisp October day, the class of six-year-old children are wrapped up warm in gloves and coats for their trip to a local farm. They giggle as they stroke the animals and search for the perfect Halloween pumpkin, and as I watch my daughter Claire race off with her friends, the pink ribbon in her hair bouncing, I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s been so hard since my husband died and my sweet little girl deserves to be happy. Miranda has been a staff writer at a local newspaper and a secondary English teacher. When it comes to fiction, Miranda writes about complicated women, dark impulses and Southern settings. Emma always looks forward to the annual kindergarten field trip to the local pumpkin patch, and this year is extra special because her daughter Claire is amongst her students. The teachers are frantic when a child gets lost, only to be discovered in the center of the corn maze. But before the relief of finding her can set in, Emma realizes that another child has gone missing – her daughter Claire. Miranda Smith writes domestic and psychological suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Her debut novel, SOME DAYS ARE DARK, will be released in March 2020.

Now Emma is busy navigating the field trip and allocating chaperones with children before heading off to enjoy the day. Claire is busy with her friends, calling out to her mum every so often which Emma obliges. Despite this, she still seems to be having a wonderful time.On this crisp October day, the class of six-year-old children are wrapped up warm in gloves and coats for their trip to a local farm. They giggle as they stroke the animals and search for the perfect Halloween pumpkin, and as I watch my daughter Claire race off with her friends, the pink ribbon in her hair bouncing, I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s been so hard since my husband died and my sweet little girl deserves to be happy. Another aspect of the book that I appreciated was the portrayal of the investigation process. The author did a fantastic job of depicting the struggles and challenges faced by law enforcement officials during an investigation. It felt realistic and added to the suspenseful nature of the story. It's every parent's worst nightmare - your child going missing. And the author brings the reader to the forefront of the investigation as police search for missing Claire. Emma is placed in the spotlight as the media speculate a neglectful mother leaving her child in the care of another at the time she disappeared which only serves to infuriate her further. Why aren't the police updating them with the facts instead of wasting time. Then soon Emma discovers some of those closest to her aren't at all who they appear to be and she begins to wonder just who can she trust? Any one of them could have Claire. Everyone seems to be lying so who can she trust? I read this book in one afternoon. It's THAT good! My third read by Miranda Smith, THE SCHOOL TRIP is just as thrilling and just as compelling as "Not My Mother" which I just loved. Of course, as soon as it mentioned a missing child I knew this would be right up my alley...and it was. It was everything I love about missing children tropes and thensome. What is even more impressive is that the entire story (bar the final chapter) takes place in one single day. How can an author do that and keep things interesting? Who cares? She did!