You all know a good mystery-thriller is my favorite type of read. And since they’re a dime a dozen these days (thanks to anyone who thinks they can write the next Gone Girl) it can be a bit tough to weed out the duds from the winners. After what felt like a slog of poorly written mystery-thrillers, I finally found a little gem that I’m excited to share with you today.
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Ten years ago, Laurel’s youngest daughter, fifteen year old Ellie, vanished in thin air. Laurel has never given up hope of finding her daughter. One day, a charming stranger enters Laurel’s life and sweeps her up off her feet. Floyd is almost too good to be true. And then, Laurel meets Floyd’s nine year old daughter. Which leaves Laurel breathless, Floyd’s daughter is the spitting image of Ellie… but how is that possible? Now all those unanswered questions about Ellie come flooding back to Laurel….
PERFECT MIX OF CREEPY AND DISTURBING
With alternating narrators and points of view from key players, Then She Was Gone gives us a slow, eerie build. Within a few chapters we’re bubbling with questions and theories, all the while the author, Lisa Jewell, drops us little hints along the way. We’re taken for a frightening ride with alternating past and present chapters. Once everything is revealed and out in the open, you’re still left contemplating the disturbing reality of the scene Jewell painted for us.
I very much enjoyed reading this book, it was very bingeable and felt like it had good substance. Which is definitely more than I can say for a lot of the other mystery-thrillers I’ve read recently. What a breath of fresh air!
If you’re looking for a good thriller to hunker down with this season, I suggest Then She Was Gone.