> Skip to content
[]
When You Looked Away
  • Published: 6 October 2026
  • ISBN: 9780241765159
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 400
  • RRP: $34.99
Categories:

When You Looked Away




It’s every mother’s worst nightmare. Your son is gone. And everyone’s a suspect - even you...a page-turning new thriller from the author of Believe

Laura’s a good mother.
Between her messy divorce with her ex-husband, and moving in with her new fiancé, her son Benjy has been her constant.
But now that they’re settled, Laura is excited to throw herself back into work.
Being a mother is fulfilling, but Laura has always felt that writing is her true calling. Her ultimate escape.
Until that fateful day. The afternoon starts like any other. Laura picks Benjy up from school, then heads upstairs to write.
It’s not until the sun is setting that she realises the house is quiet. Too quiet.
It’s not until she sees the footprints in the garden that she knows something is terribly wrong.
One set is undeniably Benjy’s. It’s the other set that strikes fear in her heart – those of an adult.
Someone who took her son, right from under her nose…

  • Published: 6 October 2026
  • ISBN: 9780241765159
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 400
  • RRP: $34.99
Categories:

About the author

S.M. Govett

S.M. Govett read Law at Trinity College, Oxford, before qualifying as a solicitor in the City. After realising that didn't suit her, she started tutoring before turning her hand to writing, which she discovered was her true calling. She has since authored several bestselling YA novels, including The Territory trilogy and We Go On Forever. She also co-wrote the screenplay for the feature film, T.I.M., which was the no. 1 film on Netflix upon release. Believe is her debut adult thriller. She currently lives in London with her husband and three children.

Also by S.M. Govett

See all

Praise for When You Looked Away

Praise for S.M. Govett

The very definition of a page turner. A thought-provoking mystery, brimming with suspense...S.M. Govett is one to watch

Janice Hallett

Propulsive and provocative, taut and timely

A.J. Finn

A superior psychological thriller...gripping, clever and full of twists you won't see coming

Sarah Pinborough