Book Review: Then She Was Gone

Book Name: Then She Was Gone
Author: Lisa Jewell

Publisher: Cornerstone Digital

Genre: Crime, Thriller and Suspense

Format: Paperback

Print length: 421 pages 

Rating:4.5/5

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a compelling and emotionally resonant thriller that will keep readers hooked.

 

Blurb on Amazon

A missing girl. A buried secret.

Ellie was her mother's golden girl.

She had her whole life ahead of her.

And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.

Ten years on, Laurel has never given up hope of finding Ellie. And then she meets a charming and charismatic stranger who sweeps her off her feet.

But what really takes her breath away is when she meets his nine-year-old daughter.

Because his daughter is the image of Ellie.

Now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.

What really happened to Ellie? And who still has secrets to hide?

Review

The plot follows the events after the sudden disappearance of a fifteen-year-old girl, Ellie. Even after ten years of her disappearance, her mother's life did not get stable, and she ended up going on a mission to unfold a sequence of occurrences that not only led her to the location where her daughter was kept but also discovered a heartwarming truth of her daughter's life. From losing her daughter, she did not live a contented life with her husband leaving her because their relationship withered as she thought he did not pay enough attention to hunting for their daughter, and her other relationships suffered badly too as she was too involved in making others feel that only she cared for Ellie. The plot is full of twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats till the end.

Each character in this book is resonating. More than that, they are flawed and come with their vulnerabilities and insecurities, making the story more real and relatable. Readers who lost a loved one would connect more with Laurel, as her grief is tangible, and her determination to uncover the mystery behind her daughter's disappearance even after years makes it feel authentic. Floyd and Poppy add layers of intrigue and suspicion, keeping the reader guessing about their connection to Ellie's disappearance.

With the dual nature of plot, combining present and past events to unveil the web of secrets, the author crafted this book masterfully with her wit. The writing style is engaging and gripping. The horrific reality of Ellie's disappearance will haunt the readers as the imagery in portraying the sequence of events is robust. The psychological impact of loss and the slow burn of uncovering the truth will add depth to this thriller, inviting thriller lovers to gobble this book in one sitting. Readers would feel awe about the author’s words because of the depth in emotions painted in this book. 

The emotional depth and resonance are well-portrayed in this book, allowing readers to feel the pain of the characters for real. It is a poignant and suspenseful read. Also, it is a character-driven mystery that will keep readers engaged until the final page is turned.

Buy it from Amazon - Then She Was Gone