In Found, Near Water by Katherine Hayton, when four-year-old Chloe goes missing, Christine is pulled in to help give support to Chloe's mother, Rena. Rena had woken up in hospital after a terrible accident, only to realise that no one knew where her little girl was. Due to Rena's pre-existing mental issues and injuries from the accident, the police were not sure whether to believe her or not. Christine was called in to help the police ascertain whether there was really was a little girl missing. Christine then found herself in the middle of yet another familiar sad story; a missing child. Bouncing between her usual duties, helping a friend deal with the resurfacing of the man who brutally killed her little girls a few years ago, and her own issues at home, Christine becomes Rena's pillar of strength. The police search for Chloe, hoping against all hope that just this once a little girl would be brought home safe. However, with every day that passed, the chances became more and more slim, and then an unexpected and ugly twist entered the search.

Found, Near Water by Katherine Hayton is a story about every parent's worst nightmare; a child gone missing, and the woman whose job it is to be there for these parents in such times. The story is dark and very emotionally gripping and Katherine Hayton brought it to life with a well crafted plot, compelling characters and skilful writing. The way Katherine Hayton portrayed Rena gave the character a real human feel and it was easy to relate to her as she struggled with the pain of her missing little angel and her OCD. Found, Near Water is a well-written story; it is sad with some really dark and twisted parts, but a compelling read and I loved it.

Katherine Hayton writes a traumatic narrative in Found, Near Water. Christine is a victim support counselor in Christchurch. Leaving behind the years of practicing psychiatry, she turned to volunteer work. “Victims need counseling, not prescription medication.” Working with the police, she now helps others who are living in the aftermath of a traumatic experience. But, could it be that she is burying her own grief behind the grief of others? Each woman in her support group was grieving the tragic loss of a child. When Christine is called in to help in a kidnapping case, her life becomes undone. As horror upon horror is revealed, Christine tries to cope. Christine’s life and the lives of her friends unravel as a result of the abduction of young Chloe. How could the search for one four-year-old girl, change so many lives?

Found, Near Water is written in first person narrative. As a reader, you experience the story through the protagonist. Katherine Hayton depicts the heartache and tragedy of trauma. She paints a very realistic backdrop for the story’s plot. As each character’s story is told, you feel the emotion of their personal loss and their struggle to get through daily life. Hayton writes a volcanic conflict; it explodes without warning, leaving in its wake a field of terrifying debris and violence. The plot scheme is written helically; the characters spiral out of control through many unexpected twists. Just when you think the plot has climaxed, it is thrust to a new level. As the action of the plot descends, Hayton satisfies the reader by creating closure for each character. However, the end is intense, emotional and shocking. Katherine Hayton's first novel Found, Near Water is a mystery you will not soon forget.

Found, Near Water by Katherine Hayton is a tale of suspense. Christine has recently lost her daughter and runs a Victim Support unit. Having been a psychiatrist for many years, she also now works as a Victim Support officer with the police. One day she is asked to visit Rena, a woman in hospital who was involved in a car accident. Rena seems to be saying that she has a daughter who is missing, but when they talk to her ex-husband, he doesn’t mention the child. Christine has to determine if Rena is telling the truth or not. The ex-husband is not an easy man to talk to; a paedophile is on the loose in the area, having just been released from prison on parole, and a psychic who knows perhaps more than she should. The story is intertwined with 6 other stories – women who have all lost a daughter and with a crime that has been committed across many generations.

Found, Near Water by Katherine Hayton was a great read. Full of surprising twists, a great storyline and some very good characters all mixed up to be a thrilling read. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down until it was over and even then, it wasn’t really over. I was left wanting more than the story offered – and that is not a criticism of Ms Hayton. That is the mark of a great storyteller to make someone want more when they finish a book rather than just being glad they finished it!

Found, Near Water by Katherine Hayton is a compelling story that will keep readers glued to it with its intrigue and mystery. Rena Sutherland's daughter, four-year-old Chloe, is missing. No one knows since when because no one knew she had gone missing in the first place. Rena notices it first when she wakes up from her coma. Christine Emmett has enough problems of her own, but as a victim support officer, she tries to help Rena. A lot of other people make the search tougher; Rena's ex-husband, a paedophile and a psychic. And beneath all this ongoing confusion is a crime that adds to the intrigue and mystery of the story. Will Rena be able to find her daughter?

The plot is mysterious and intriguing and will keep readers riveted. The plot takes you through many twists and turns that enhance the plot. Rena lying in the hospital bed is the main character in the story and her character portrayal has been executed well. The victim support officer, Christine, is another character in the story that will remain etched in your memory once you put the book down. I liked the manner in which the characters get introduced in different chapters. Whether it is Tina, Ilene or Kendra, the author has managed to weave their parts into the main plot with great expertise. The crime angle in the story is what will blow the minds of readers with its suspense and intrigue.