Karen P. (emeraldfrog) reviewed Then She Was Gone (Audio MP3 CD) (Unabridged) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This was a book club choice, and the feedback was mixed. Half of the club loved it, and the other half couldn't stand it. I'm in the latter. The author's writing style was brisk, but it wasn't hard to figure out what happened, the only question was how. And the missing girl and the terrible impact it had on her family was heartbreaking. I couldn't get past it.
Lisa R. (alterlisa) -
Helpful Score: 3
Ahhh, a very satisfying read!!!
Although I thought I had figured out part of this mystery, I was pleased that the author threw in enough curves to keep me guessing but still stay true to the story. It was at times horrifying and totally had me wiping tears from my face while still offering a look at the resilience of the human soul.
All of the characters were well flushed out and even the minor ones were believable. The villains were evil but still humanized by the events in their lives. In general, I don't like a story told from multiple viewpoints but it absolutely worked in this instance.
As a parent, I can't imagine the unbelievable horror of having a child disappear without knowing what has happened but I'm not sure if Laurel had known the intimate details of Ellie's disappearance if it could have been any less horrifying. While there is a satisfying ending to the story, the trip is full of bumps and turns that makes it impossible to slow down or take a break until the end is reached.
Although I thought I had figured out part of this mystery, I was pleased that the author threw in enough curves to keep me guessing but still stay true to the story. It was at times horrifying and totally had me wiping tears from my face while still offering a look at the resilience of the human soul.
All of the characters were well flushed out and even the minor ones were believable. The villains were evil but still humanized by the events in their lives. In general, I don't like a story told from multiple viewpoints but it absolutely worked in this instance.
As a parent, I can't imagine the unbelievable horror of having a child disappear without knowing what has happened but I'm not sure if Laurel had known the intimate details of Ellie's disappearance if it could have been any less horrifying. While there is a satisfying ending to the story, the trip is full of bumps and turns that makes it impossible to slow down or take a break until the end is reached.
Laurie M. (reading-galore) -
Helpful Score: 3
Each chapter of this suspenseful story reveals a little bit more of the truth about what happened to the missing daughter, Ellie Mack. Told from multiple points of view, it is a disturbing and gripping story that is difficult to put down. I found that it played upon my own fears as a mother in wanting to protect my children from those who are sick and disturbed. Yet you realize that it is impossible to totally do so. This book propels you down a path that you hope in reality you will never have to take yourself. My only real complaint as an American is that this book has far too many British usage words that make reading it a bit slower as you convert the British word to an American word (jumper=sweater, boot=trunk, etc.) However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this somewhat twisted thriller.
Helpful Score: 2
An addictive tale of a missing 15 year old girl that had me hooked in the beginning.
The twists and turns made me dizzy, the ending was heartbreaking, spellbinding and kind of creepy.
A very emotional, sad book.
The twists and turns made me dizzy, the ending was heartbreaking, spellbinding and kind of creepy.
A very emotional, sad book.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Helpful Score: 1
When Laurel Mack's daughter, Ellie, disappears, Laurel's family and life falls apart. 10 years have past and Laurel has decided to move on. She meets a man who has a daughter named Poppy who reminds Laurel of Ellie which gives Laurel a lot of unanswered questions once more. This book kept me hooked from the very beginning. The story is told with 4 POV and just when you think that you have figured out what happened to Ellie, Lisa Jewell throws out some twists and the doubts begin. It is a very emotional and heart wrenching read. This was my first Lisa Jewell book but won't be my last.
Good Read - found it fast reading and not to many twists or turns but had you guessing where it was leading.
What a great book! I was looking for something different and had never read anything by this author. So many twists and surprises.
It seems like this is one of those books that you will either really love or you'll really hate. I got pulled in fairly quickly and I couldn't put it down, but there are topics in the book that might anger some people. Child and animal abuse are included, so you might not find this book very appealing.
Melissa E. (englishmaven) -
15-y.o. Ellie Mack disappeared 10 years ago. Her mother and father recently buried her abandoned and found bones. Her mother, Laurel, meets Floyd--he seems normal enough--and his 9 year old daughter Poppy who looks just like Ellie. Laurel begins to investigate her daughter's disappearance. The story is also told--somewhat--through the eyes of Ellie, Floyd, and another character who plays a major role in Ellie's disappearance. I loved the story and the characters. I was disappointed (a wee bit) by the ending.
A long winded tale that was too wordy & not at all worth the read. Told from different POV's the story is about selfish mom Laurel and her life playing out while trying to find her missing daughter Ellie. The then and now story is a convoluted boring journey that seems to allude to something different but doesn't. Laurel focuses everything on Ellie leaving her other two kids and husband in the dust. A new relationship for her with Floyd and his daughter Poppy reminds her of Ellie and they have connections to Ellie's past that plays out into a far fetched and tidy wrap up ending. This is my second book by the author & I didn't like the British style language and the story could've been told in less words and unneeded descriptions so I will not continue with this autho
John N. (Elway26) -
I have really enjoyed all of Lisa Jewells books but some where along the line she got away from light and airy romances and turned extremely dark and sad. I still enjoy her writing but there was one chapter that absolutely cut me to the core and made me reevaluate my reading choices. If you read this book you will know what I am referring to. Great writer always but I miss the love stories.
Cis H. (californiadreamin) reviewed Then She Was Gone (Audio MP3 CD) (Unabridged) on + 279 more book reviews
Wow, what a page turner! Lisa Jewell keeps you intrigued, with all the twists and turns. A few implausible acts on part of Laurel but perhaps that's my own personality shining thru. Overall an interesting and enjoyable read. I'm hooked on Lisa Jewell's style, hope her other books are written as well as this one.
Janice P. (jannymarie) -
Very different way of writing a story kept the pages turning trying to find the next twist. Bittersweet when all is said and done.
Great book. Suspense/mystery that sucked me in right away. I had part of the story figured out early on, but the ending surprised me. In a good way. Sad and sweet, well written, great characters and great plot.
Ellie is 15 and a beautiful, bright girl when she suddenly goes missing. Ten years later her mom Laurel is still trying to put the pieces of her life back together when she meets Floyd and his 9 year old daughter Poppy. Who looks so much like Ellie.
Plot reveal: Ellie had a tutor Noelle who was mentally twisted. Noelle was Floyd's girlfriend at the time and had suffered two miscarriages. She kidnapped Ellie, locked her in the basement, impregnated her with purchased sperm, and then pretended Poppy was her child with Floyd. Floyd discovers 5 years later that Noelle has lied and Poppy is not really his daughter and kills Noelle in a fit of rage. And then says she just left Poppy with him and went missing. But when Ellie's bones are found in a ditch (Noelle had dumped them there when Poppy was a baby) and he realizes the truth, he befriends Laurel. And gives her the gift of Poppy.
Lots of plot twists and turns. I figured out Poppy was Ellie's child, but thought Floyd was somehow involved in the kidnapping. But at the end he leaves a long note for Laurel telling her the truth and leaving Poppy to her while he leaves and goes off to kill himself.
Ellie is 15 and a beautiful, bright girl when she suddenly goes missing. Ten years later her mom Laurel is still trying to put the pieces of her life back together when she meets Floyd and his 9 year old daughter Poppy. Who looks so much like Ellie.
Plot reveal: Ellie had a tutor Noelle who was mentally twisted. Noelle was Floyd's girlfriend at the time and had suffered two miscarriages. She kidnapped Ellie, locked her in the basement, impregnated her with purchased sperm, and then pretended Poppy was her child with Floyd. Floyd discovers 5 years later that Noelle has lied and Poppy is not really his daughter and kills Noelle in a fit of rage. And then says she just left Poppy with him and went missing. But when Ellie's bones are found in a ditch (Noelle had dumped them there when Poppy was a baby) and he realizes the truth, he befriends Laurel. And gives her the gift of Poppy.
Lots of plot twists and turns. I figured out Poppy was Ellie's child, but thought Floyd was somehow involved in the kidnapping. But at the end he leaves a long note for Laurel telling her the truth and leaving Poppy to her while he leaves and goes off to kill himself.
