Then She Was Gone: A Novel

Maths, maths, maths, maths. This book was a fun read. A little thrown about, but a decent read when you have down time. At its core, it's a sad story with a nice twist. I don't try to predict the ending of books, I like the surprise and this one had a nice one. Plus at the very end, there is a nice tiny farewell. Overall a score of 3.8 for me. I do love the name Poppy now, thank you for that.

Lisa Jewell is a prolific author of gripping contemporary thriller and suspense novels, and her loyal fans have become accustomed to a high caliber of character development and innovative plot twists in her work. They might be slightly disappointed in picking up Jewell’s Then She Was Gone, a novel published by Atria in 2017. The book alternates from the time when Ellie-a young intelligent teen admired by all- mysteriously disappears to ten years later after a retrospective televised reenactment is broadcast. Even though what could be her remains are discovered, the chronology of what occurred long ago remains unclear. The emotional scars from that day are still close to the surface for Laurel Mack, Ellie’s mother. Over the intervening years, Laurel has become a shell of her former self and continues to be unconvinced by the hasty conclusion made by the initial investigation that Ellie simply ran away from home. Estranged from the remainder of her family, Laurel clings to an idealized image of the daughter she lost. Just when she is beginning to accept a lack of resolution and is ready to move on with her life, she encounters a new man who may not turn out to be the Prince Charming he appears. Questions start to arise about the man’s past, possible motives and ties to a woman who was Ellie’s tutor before she went missing. Then She Was Gone does have numerous moments that strain credulity and border on the implausible, still, it is a compelling enough story for the reader to forgive these faults. Jewell reliably unspools a twisty tale that will keep even veteran mystery readers gasping with the revelations as the chapters pass. This title would make a decent choice for a book club or quick read, but those new to Jewell might be better served to begin with Watching You or The Family Upstairs.

ok, im intrigued. theres some question and suspects.. i need to know the truth. aarrrggg i need to read the full version, physically maybe, bcs its a 'then-now' type of story.