Mystery Monday: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Title: Then She Was Gone
Author: Lisa Jewell
Page Count: 359
Rating: A
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: Mystery
Keywords: Missing children, family, obsession
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

THEN
She was fifteen, her mother's
golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her.
And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.

NOW
It’s been ten years since Ellie
disappeared, but Laurel has never given up
hope of finding her daughter.
And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet.
Before too long she’s staying the night at this house and being introduced to his nine year old daughter.
Poppy is precocious and pretty - and meeting her completely takes Laurel's breath away.

Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age.
And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.

What happened to Ellie? Where did she go?
Who still has secrets to hide?

My Review:

Another choice I made for Book of the Month. This was a solid mystery novel that you can certainly predict parts of it easily enough but I was delightfully surprised to not be able to guess exactly how the elements I had figured would come about would wrap up. If you're looking for a mystery that focuses more on the family response than an investigative procedural pick this one up.

Do be warned though if you need a lot of action to keep you interested in a mystery this might not be the read for you. Most people I have recommended this one to enjoyed it but the number one complaint I have received is from people about a quarter of the way through saying that it was slow and/or boring. If you're a dedicated reader and persevere the story is worth it. If you are more of a casual reader and looking for something to keep your attention then maybe skip this one.