“Sometimes the past isn't just behind you; it's waiting to ambush you from the future.”
— A character reflecting on how old secrets resurface.
Archivist's Choice
Chasing Tomorrow
Tilly Bagshawe (2014)
Genre
Thriller / Mystery / Romance
Reading Time
600 min
Key Themes
See below
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Master con artist Tracy Whitney tries to live a normal life, but a mysterious enemy targets her with a series of murders, forcing her back into a deadly game to protect her past and the man she loves.
Synopsis
Tracy Whitney, a former master thief, tries to settle down and start a family with Jeff Stevens. Her dream ends when she vanishes, leaving Jeff heartbroken and the world believing her dead. Ten years later, a French detective investigates murders linked to Tracy's past heists, finding evidence she is alive. Tracy, living under a new name, is drawn back into danger by an unseen enemy targeting her and her loved ones. She must reunite with Jeff, face her past, and form alliances to unmask the manipulator, protect those she cares about, and claim a future she thought impossible.
Reading time
600 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Suspenseful, Adventurous, Romantic, Intriguing
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy globe-trotting thrillers with strong female protagonists, intricate plots involving heists and revenge, and a blend of mystery and romance.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer standalone novels or have not read the predecessor, 'If Tomorrow Comes,' as this book is a direct sequel.
Plot Summary
A New Beginning, A Lingering Void
After years of daring heists, Tracy Whitney and Jeff Stevens decide to settle down. They move to London, where Jeff works at the British Museum, and Tracy focuses on starting a family. Tracy wants a baby, believing it will bring stability. Months pass without a pregnancy, and Tracy grows restless, missing the excitement of her past. The domestic routine, initially a welcome change, begins to feel unfulfilling, creating tension in their strong relationship.
The Disappearance of Tracy Whitney
Their peace ends with the arrival of Eva, an enigmatic woman. Eva's presence unsettles Tracy and Jeff, subtly challenging their dynamic and stirring Tracy's desire for adventure. One morning, Jeff wakes to an empty bed. Tracy has vanished without a trace. Her disappearance devastates Jeff, who is left to cope with the sudden loss. The world eventually presumes Tracy dead, leaving Jeff in a decade of grief and unanswered questions.
A Decade of Solitude and a Trail of Murders
For over ten years, Jeff Stevens lives with loss and a quiet resolve to find Tracy. He carries her absence, unable to move on, always hoping she is alive. Meanwhile, across the globe, a series of unconnected murders begins. Eleven victims in ten cities over nine years all share a distinct pattern. These cities—Madrid, Lima, London, Chicago, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, New York, Mumbai—are places where Tracy Whitney pulled off famous capers, suggesting a deliberate link to her past.
The Tenacious Detective and a Ghost from the Past
French detective André Trignon, a meticulous investigator, is assigned to the baffling murders. As he looks into the cases, he uncovers a shocking pattern and a link to Tracy Whitney, who is officially presumed dead. Trignon believes Tracy is alive and at the center of these killings, either as a target or participant. His search for the truth brings him to Tracy's door, pulling her out of hiding and back into the dangerous world she tried to leave.
Tracy's New Identity and Renewed Danger
Living quietly under a new name, Tracy must face her past when Detective Trignon finds her. The realization that someone is systematically targeting her, manipulating events, and bringing up terrifying parts of her criminal life, shatters her peace. She knows she is in a dangerous game with high stakes. Tracy must now use her old skills, wit, and courage to find her hidden enemy and protect herself and those she cares about, including Jeff, the man she never forgot.
Reunion and Revelation
The growing threat brings Tracy and Jeff back together. Their reunion is full of mixed emotions—relief, anger, unresolved questions, and an undeniable love. Despite the pain of her ten-year absence, Jeff's first concern is Tracy's safety. They must quickly move past their personal history and rebuild their partnership, using their skills and knowledge of the criminal world to navigate the danger created by their unknown enemy. Old wounds resurface, but the immediate threat forces them to focus on survival and trust.
Unmasking the Manipulator
As Tracy and Jeff work together, using Tracy's network and Jeff's analytical mind, they begin to identify their adversary. The trail leads them through old enemies, forgotten scores, and new faces. They realize this is not random revenge but a planned vendetta by a cunning individual who has watched Tracy for years. The mastermind knows intimate details of Tracy's past operations and personal life, making the threat incredibly personal and hard to predict.
The Betrayal and the Ultimate Prize
The investigation reveals a shocking truth: the mastermind behind the murders and the plot against Tracy is someone unexpected, deeply connected to Tracy's past and her disappearance. The antagonist's motives come from a twisted sense of justice and a desire for power, with Tracy's downfall being a key part of their plan. This betrayal forces Tracy and Jeff into a direct, high-stakes confrontation where they must use all their cunning and courage to outwit their enemy, knowing that failure means losing everything.
A Desperate Plan and Unlikely Allies
Faced with an enemy who anticipates their every move, Tracy plans a daring strategy. This plan requires her to trust unlikely allies, including people from her past who were once rivals or enemies. These alliances are uneasy, but Tracy knows she cannot defeat this new threat alone. She uses her charm, past connections, and reputation to persuade these individuals to join her in a final attempt to expose and stop the mastermind, risking double-crosses and further danger.
The Final Showdown
The story's climax sees Tracy and Jeff, with their temporary allies, in a thrilling showdown with their antagonist. The confrontation takes place in a setting that reflects the high stakes, involving traps, mind games, and physical dangers. Tracy must outthink and outmaneuver her enemy, using all her skills as a master con artist and strategist. The battle is for their lives and their future, for the peace they once sought. Jeff's steady support and cleverness are vital in this final act.
Justice and A New Tomorrow
After the intense confrontation, Tracy and Jeff defeat their enemy, ending the manipulation. Justice is served, though not always through conventional means. With the threat gone, Tracy and Jeff begin to rebuild their lives. The experience has changed them, but it has also strengthened their bond. They face an uncertain future, but with a new sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of what matters, ready for a tomorrow on their own terms, free from the past.
Principal Figures
Tracy Whitney
The Protagonist
From seeking domesticity and normalcy, Tracy is forced to embrace her past skills to survive, ultimately finding a new path forward that integrates her true self with her desire for a stable future.
Jeff Stevens
The Protagonist/Love Interest
Jeff moves from a life of quiet longing and presumed loss to actively rejoining Tracy in a dangerous quest, reaffirming their partnership and love.
André Trignon
The Supporting
Trignon transforms from an antagonist pursuing Tracy to an ally, understanding the larger criminal conspiracy at play.
Eva
The Antagonist/Supporting
Eva's role shifts from a mysterious catalyst to revealing her true allegiance and involvement in the larger plot.
The Mastermind
The Antagonist
The Mastermind remains a hidden threat throughout, their reveal and ultimate defeat forming the central conflict's resolution.
Themes & Insights
The Allure and Burden of the Past
The novel shows that one's past, especially a criminal one, is hard to escape. Tracy Whitney's attempts to 'go straight' are constantly affected by her past as a master con artist. The murders, linked to her past heists, show that her former actions left marks and created new enemies. This theme is clear when Tracy misses the thrill of her old life despite wanting a family, suggesting her past excitement is as much a part of her as her desire for normalcy. The past is both a source of skills and a relentless pursuer.
“Tomorrow has come at last. But it isn't the future Tracy bargained for.”
The Nature of Identity and Reinvention
Tracy Whitney's struggle to create a new identity, first as a 'straight' woman and later under a new name, is central to the story. The book asks if a person can truly change, or if their core nature will always return. Tracy's discomfort with a purely domestic life and her eventual need to use her con artist skills to survive show that her true identity lies in her intelligence and adaptability, regardless of legalities. Her various aliases also reflect this constant reinvention.
“Once upon a time, Tracy Whitney made the people who destroyed her family account for their sins. Now someone is looking for payback . . .”
Love, Loyalty, and Sacrifice
The lasting love and loyalty between Tracy Whitney and Jeff Stevens are the emotional core of the story. Despite Tracy's disappearance and Jeff's decade of suffering, his unwavering belief in her innocence and his determination to find her show deep devotion. Their reunion has pain, but their immediate willingness to protect each other and work together against an enemy shows their strong bond. The sacrifices they both make—Tracy giving up her peaceful life, Jeff enduring grief—highlight their relationship's strength and its ability to withstand extreme hardship.
“Jeff Stevens saved Tracy's life once. Now it's her chance to return the favor.”
Justice vs. Revenge
The story explores the line between seeking justice and taking revenge. Tracy's early actions were driven by a desire to make those who wronged her family pay, which could be seen as vigilante justice. However, the antagonist's plot against her is clearly about revenge, showing the destructive cycle that can come from past grievances. The murders, showing signs of a personal vendetta, force Tracy to face the results of her past actions and the nature of the justice she once sought, showing how actions, even with good intentions, can lead to unforeseen dangers.
“Someone is targeting her, manipulating a series of disturbing events and raising terrifying ghosts she thought were dead and buried.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Unexplained Disappearance
Tracy's sudden vanishing creates a decade-long mystery and drives Jeff's character arc.
Tracy Whitney's unexplained disappearance serves as the central inciting incident, creating a powerful mystery that propels the first act of the story. It establishes Jeff Stevens's emotional journey and the initial premise of Tracy being presumed dead. This device heightens suspense and allows for the introduction of the murder plot years later, linking back to her past. It also effectively removes Tracy from the narrative for a significant period, only to bring her back with maximum impact when Detective Trignon uncovers her existence, fueling the 'what happened to her?' question.
The Signature Killings
A series of murders linked by unique patterns and locations to Tracy Whitney's past.
The signature killings are a crucial plot device used to reintroduce Tracy Whitney into the active narrative and establish the presence of a formidable antagonist. By having the murders occur in cities where Tracy pulled off famous capers and bearing a distinct, consistent pattern, the device immediately creates a direct, personal link to Tracy. It serves as the catalyst for Detective Trignon's investigation and ultimately leads him to Tracy, forcing her out of hiding. This device not only generates suspense but also underscores the theme of the inescapable past.
The Hidden Mastermind
An unseen antagonist orchestrating events, whose identity is revealed late in the story.
The hidden mastermind is a classic thriller plot device that builds suspense and mystery throughout the narrative. By keeping the antagonist's identity secret for most of the story, the author creates a sense of pervasive threat and allows for multiple red herrings and twists. This device forces Tracy and Jeff to rely solely on clues and their wits, making their investigation more challenging and engaging. The eventual revelation of the mastermind's identity is designed to be a significant shock, often tied to Tracy's past in a way that deepens the personal stakes.
The Reluctant Return
A protagonist who has left their dangerous past is forced back into it.
The reluctant return is a common but effective plot device where a protagonist, having retired from a life of danger, is pulled back into it against their will. In 'Chasing Tomorrow,' Tracy Whitney has actively tried to 'go straight' and build a conventional life. Her forced re-entry into the world of heists and espionage, driven by the threat to her life and loved ones, highlights her internal conflict and the inescapable nature of her skills. This device allows for character growth as Tracy must reconcile her desire for peace with her inherent abilities to survive in a dangerous world.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Trust is a fragile thing, easily shattered and almost impossible to fully repair.”
— After a significant betrayal within a relationship.
“The most dangerous lies are the ones we tell ourselves.”
— A character's internal monologue about self-deception.
“Love doesn't always conquer all, especially when ambition and revenge are in the ring too.”
— Observing the complex interplay of emotions and motives.
“Every choice has a consequence, and some ripple out for a lifetime.”
— A character contemplating the long-term impact of their actions.
“The line between love and obsession is often blurrier than we'd like to admit.”
— Exploring the darker side of romantic attachment.
“You can run from your history, but you can't escape its shadow.”
— A character trying to start fresh but haunted by their past.
“Sometimes the quietest people hide the loudest secrets.”
— Unveiling a surprising twist about a seemingly unassuming character.
“Revenge is a bitter feast, and often the one who serves it poisons themselves in the process.”
— A character pursuing vengeance and finding little satisfaction.
“The truth has a way of finding its way out, no matter how deep you bury it.”
— As hidden facts begin to come to light.
“Fear can be a powerful motivator, but it rarely leads to anything good.”
— A character acting out of desperation and fear.
“Even in the darkest moments, there's always a flicker of hope, if you're brave enough to look for it.”
— A character finding resilience amidst despair.
“Some battles aren't fought with fists or words, but with the quiet strength of endurance.”
— Describing a character's internal struggle and perseverance.
“The most beautiful facades often hide the ugliest truths.”
— Referring to characters who appear perfect but have dark secrets.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The book sees Tracy Whitney, who previously settled scores from her past, now trying to live a 'straight' life with Jeff Stevens. However, when her dream of having a baby doesn't materialize and a mysterious stranger intervenes, Tracy vanishes, leading to a decade-long search by Jeff and a new series of murders that draw her back into a dangerous world.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
