Then She Was Gone
Fiction
Atria Books
April 17, 2018
Advanced Reader Copy
368
Free from publisher
Ten years after her teenage daughter disappears, a woman crosses paths with a charming single father whose young child feels eerily familiar, in this evocative, suspenseful drama from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell—perfect for fans of Paula Hawkins and Liane Moriarty.
Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. She was beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers. She and her boyfriend made a teenaged golden couple. She was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her.
And then she was gone.
Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It’s been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie’s case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she’s meeting Floyd’s daughters—and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel’s breath away.
Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she’s tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?
My review:
I'm going to say it again, because it always bears repeating when it comes to this author. My absolute favorite Lisa Jewell book was The House We Grew Up In. The reason I feel compelled to point to that book (other than that it is a fantastic family case study), is that her last few books have been more in the psychological thriller vein. I think it speaks to her writing skills that she can be successful in writing across multiple genres (including historical fiction with Before I Met You). This book was in the psychological thriller genre, and it was a gripping page turner. While I did figure out the "who dunnit"part of what happened to Laurel's daughter fairly early, the details, and particularly the "why" took me on a dark and sinister journey. The twists and turns were cleverly interspersed, the characters were well drawn, and the ending satisfactorily tied up all the loose ends. If you have not read this author before, grab a copy of one of her books. She has likely written one in whatever genre you are in the mood for.
A well written thriller about a mother trying to find out the truth about her missing daughter, including a villain with one of the most creepily plotted plans I've read about. Definitely a must if you want a page turner that isn't so scary as to keep you up at night.
The thriller is what would draw me in, but it sounds like her earlier books have more depth. Thanks for making me aware of this author!