Book: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
If you read and liked The Woman in the Window or Verity or are a fan of mysteries, you’ll enjoy this book!
Kara Vallari Book Review:
If I’m being completely honest, I read this book back in May or June of last year and totally forgot to write the review. In hindsight, my memory of this book is that it’s twisted, sad and slightly unbelievable. In a way, I was glad that it seemed so farfetched because one of my biggest fears as a mom [among many others], is my child being abducted so I was hesitant to even start this book after it was recommended by a friend. I will say that it feels slightly predictable – from the book synopsis alone – but even I was fairly shocked by the ending. All in all, it wasn’t my favorite in terms of the plot or characters but the mystery hooked me in enough to finish reading. I’d say if you’re a big fan of mystery fiction, it could be worth a read.
Book Synopsis (from Amazon):
Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. Beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers, and half of a teenaged golden couple. Ellie 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?
KARA VALLARI 