The Night She Disappeared

Books like this remind me that I have a lot of gems … or in this case “Jewells” *ahem … sorrry* waiting on my TBR shelf that I shouldn’t be missing!

Tallulah and Zach are nineteen-year-old new parents who’ve been together since they were fourteen.  Their relationship has changed over time and Tallulah is having increasing doubts about whether Zach is the person she wants to commit her life to. Her charismatic new friend Scarlett has only increased those doubts. When Tallulah and Zach go missing after a night out with Scarlett and her friends, Tallulah’s mom, Kim, is desperate for answers.

A year out from the disappearance, Sophie - a mystery/crime novelist - has moved to town with her boyfriend Shaun, the new headmaster of a local school. On a walk one evening, she discovers a cardboard sign in her backyard with an arrow pointing downward that says “Dig here”. What she finds in that spot and how it connects to the disappearance is for you to find out! Let’s just say this isn’t the first clue she’ll unearth in her hunt for answers.

The audiobook, narrated by Downtown Abbey actress Joanne Froggatt, was a treat!  She captured the unique personalities so brilliantly.  The only drawback of doing audio only, was that the story’s timeline jumps around quite a bit, so you’ll want to pay close attention to those chapter headings that let you know what timeline you’re in. Beyond that, it’s just a fun, immersive mystery that draws you along with its breadcrumbs to the twisty end!

If you enjoy a suspenseful mystery with dysfunctional relationships and psychological elements, loads of atmosphere, a fascinating cast of characters, and a satisfying, though slightly “out there” ending, I think this is a story worth digging into! 

★★★★ ½