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Fiction. Literature. Thriller. HTML: On the day she was abducted, Annie O'Sullivan, a thirty-two year old realtor, had three goals�sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever- patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all. Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape�her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor. The truth doesn't always set you free. Chevy Stevens's Still Missing is that rare debut find�a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member BeckyJG
Annie O'Sullivan is a realtor in a small town on Vancouver Island in Canada. One lovely summer afternoon, as she's about to wrap up an open house, she's abducted. Her abductor, a bland and mildly charming man posing as a client, takes her to a fortified cabin on a mountain somewhere, and spends the
Still Missing is a monolog, narrated by Annie to her therapist in a series of twenty-six sessions. She tells the story of her abduction and captivity, of the daughter she bore and lost while on the mountain, of her harrowing escape, and of her difficulty readjusting to a normal life. As her story unfolds she learns that, inconceivable as it may seem, there's more horror in store for her...just because you're paranoid, that doesn't mean there aren't people out to get you.
Chevy Stevens is a first-time novelist with big creativity, okay writing ability, and the luck to get some very big names in the business (Lisa Gardner, Gillian Flynn, and Kathy Reichs, among others) blurbing for her. Still Missing is an exciting debut which, while it falls short in the writing department still shows promise, particularly if she keeps reading in her selected genre and learns from all the ladies who wrote blurbs for her.
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next year--until her spectacular escape-- beating and raping her. But--as the breathless back-of-the-book copy tells us--her escape is just the beginning of the story.Still Missing is a monolog, narrated by Annie to her therapist in a series of twenty-six sessions. She tells the story of her abduction and captivity, of the daughter she bore and lost while on the mountain, of her harrowing escape, and of her difficulty readjusting to a normal life. As her story unfolds she learns that, inconceivable as it may seem, there's more horror in store for her...just because you're paranoid, that doesn't mean there aren't people out to get you.
Chevy Stevens is a first-time novelist with big creativity, okay writing ability, and the luck to get some very big names in the business (Lisa Gardner, Gillian Flynn, and Kathy Reichs, among others) blurbing for her. Still Missing is an exciting debut which, while it falls short in the writing department still shows promise, particularly if she keeps reading in her selected genre and learns from all the ladies who wrote blurbs for her.
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LibraryThing member auntmarge64
Wow, this is a novel you can't put down!
Realtor Annie is kidnapped from an open house, held for over a year by a psychopath, and finally makes an escape, only to find that she cannot shake the terror and even the "rules" he forced her to follow. And that's page one.
Annie's story is told in a
Realtor Annie is kidnapped from an open house, held for over a year by a psychopath, and finally makes an escape, only to find that she cannot shake the terror and even the "rules" he forced her to follow. And that's page one.
Annie's story is told in a
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series of therapy sessions, and as they progress she tells of her captivity, fears, and attempts to reconnect with family and friends, and of the police investigation into her case. The story is gripping, violent, and believable. Very highly recommended, and brava to a new writer in the world of suspense novels! Show Less
LibraryThing member sbenne3
A good thriller with several twists and turns. I can't say I enjoyed reading it as most of the story was describing pretty disturbing details, but it was a quick and easy read. I would recommend it to those who like the thriller genre and have low expectations of character development.
LibraryThing member caitemaire
As the book opens, we find out that Annie O'Sullivan is a survivor of a truly horrible, terrifying experience. A year ago, the 32 years old Realtor, living on Vancouver Island, was just closing up an open house, getting ready to meet her boyfriend for dinner. She was successful, owned the house of
Now, we know that Annie has survived, at least physically, because in the opening pages she is at her first therapy appointment, the first of the 26 that form the outline of this book. Gradually, session by session, we learn what happen to her, how she stayed alive, the terror, the fear, the grief, the guilt that she lived through..and that still haunt her. She survived physically, but whether she survived psychologically is another matter. She can barely leave her house and sleeps in the closet, and the idea that she will ever get her life back seems like a distant dream. The difference of who she is today as compared to the person, so independent, so confident, that she was is so believably told, that story alone would be fascinating. But that is only part of it. As police, in the person of Staff Sergeant Gary Kincade, begins to investigate the abduction, it soon apparent that the danger to Annie may not be over, and the story races on to an utterly surprising conclusion. I never saw that one coming!
As hard as it is to believe, this is Ms. Stevens first book and what a winner it is! This is a really good book..scary, moving, a psychological thriller, a mystery..all told through the eyes of Annie, who is a wonderful character. She is resourceful, she is incapacitated by fear, she is real, and flawed and sometimes funny, and very angry and bitter and always someone we are pulling for 100%. And she is not the only character that the author paints so well. The Freak..well, the Freak is one twisted, scary and yet somehow mundane man, if a psychopath can be mundane. One scary freak indeed.
And did I mention the ending? I read a lot of mysteries, a lot of thrillers and, quite honestly, I often have an idea where they are going. This one took a turn that I never saw coming and was a great ending to a great book.
Highly recommended.
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her dream and had a satisfying personal life. Then, in a moment, she is abducted by a madman, the Freak, as she comes to call him, who takes her to a cabin he has prepared in the remote woods. He rapes her, controls her every action, every minute of her day, all part of his plan to create some bizarre perfect "family" in the wilderness.Now, we know that Annie has survived, at least physically, because in the opening pages she is at her first therapy appointment, the first of the 26 that form the outline of this book. Gradually, session by session, we learn what happen to her, how she stayed alive, the terror, the fear, the grief, the guilt that she lived through..and that still haunt her. She survived physically, but whether she survived psychologically is another matter. She can barely leave her house and sleeps in the closet, and the idea that she will ever get her life back seems like a distant dream. The difference of who she is today as compared to the person, so independent, so confident, that she was is so believably told, that story alone would be fascinating. But that is only part of it. As police, in the person of Staff Sergeant Gary Kincade, begins to investigate the abduction, it soon apparent that the danger to Annie may not be over, and the story races on to an utterly surprising conclusion. I never saw that one coming!
As hard as it is to believe, this is Ms. Stevens first book and what a winner it is! This is a really good book..scary, moving, a psychological thriller, a mystery..all told through the eyes of Annie, who is a wonderful character. She is resourceful, she is incapacitated by fear, she is real, and flawed and sometimes funny, and very angry and bitter and always someone we are pulling for 100%. And she is not the only character that the author paints so well. The Freak..well, the Freak is one twisted, scary and yet somehow mundane man, if a psychopath can be mundane. One scary freak indeed.
And did I mention the ending? I read a lot of mysteries, a lot of thrillers and, quite honestly, I often have an idea where they are going. This one took a turn that I never saw coming and was a great ending to a great book.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member bookappeal
Through meetings with her therapist, 32-year-old realtor Annie O'Sullivan describes, in graphic detail, her terrifying abduction and year of isolation in a remote cabin with a man she calls "The Freak". Annie learned to live by The Freak's strict schedule which he enforced with physical pain, rape,
The first half is a fast-paced, disturbing and psychologically-intense read followed by complex, intricate plotting in the second half. Though the reader knows Annie will survive, the psychological damage and after effects could prove severe. A very likable character surrounded by distinct secondary characters; hauntingly memorable; interesting and mostly effective storytelling technique. Impressive for a debut novel.
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and erratic behavior that left Annie in a near constant state of anxiety and fear. Over a year later, when she is finally free, Annie is still unable to sleep and her personal relationships with her boyfriend, best friend, and mother are a mess. Just as she begins to make progress in therapy, Annie's seemingly paranoid suspicions about being in danger prove true and the chief investigator in her abduction case traces new leads to a shocking discovery.The first half is a fast-paced, disturbing and psychologically-intense read followed by complex, intricate plotting in the second half. Though the reader knows Annie will survive, the psychological damage and after effects could prove severe. A very likable character surrounded by distinct secondary characters; hauntingly memorable; interesting and mostly effective storytelling technique. Impressive for a debut novel.
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LibraryThing member Jenners26
In Brief: Still Missing grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the end—at which point you will be left tired and grumpy because you probably stayed up way too late reading because you just had to find out what happened. (Well, at least that was the case for me.)
The Basic Plot:
5 Things I Thought While Reading and Reviewing Still Missing:
1. Open houses staffed by solo female realtors seem like a really bad idea. Annie is abducted during an open house, and the details of how it played out really freaked me out. If I was a realtor and read this book, I think it would give me serious pause about ever meeting a client alone at a house.
2. This book reminded me of ROOM by Emma Donoghue. Although I don’t want to spoil anything, there are important plot points between the two books that are pretty similar. If you ever wondered what ROOM would have been like if Ma had been the narrator instead of Jack, this book might give you a taste of that.
3. I love when an author keeps something up her sleeve to surprise you. Although I’m not the brightest bulb when it comes to mysteries (in fact, I’d estimate I’m a 40 watt bulb as far as the ability to figure out things ahead of time), I thought Stevens did a great job of keeping her readers surprised and engaged. Just when you think the story has been told, you find out there is more!
4. For a first-time author, Chevy Stevens is pretty darn self-assured and talented. She nails Annie’s voice—full of anger, doubt, attitude and vulnerability. As Annie works through her troubles during her psychiatric sessions, we come to know her and root for her. In a way, it felt like I was illicitly reading transcripts of actual therapy sessions.
5. Even though I read this book almost three months ago, I can still recall the names and details clearly. In other words, this is a book that sticks with you. So many mysteries/thrillers are so forgettable and interchangeable. If you asked me the details of the Lee Child book I read over the summer, I’d be hard-pressed to tell you anything about it. But Still Missing stuck with me, which makes it a cut above your average mystery/thriller.
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of mysteries/thrillers and haven’t checked this one out yet, read it without delay! This is a well-written, fast-paced, freaky thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing about all the little details. However, if you are faint-hearted or don’t like strong language, this might not be the best fit for you. This is definitely not a cozy!
The Basic Plot:
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This book does not have chapter titles. Instead, each “chapter” is a session with a psychiatrist. In Session One, we meet “our patient” for the first time, Annie O’Sullivan. Within the first few paragraphs, we learn why Annie is meeting with a shrink … she is “that lady Realtor who was abducted.” And Annie wasn’t just abducted and missing for a few days; she was held captive for a year by a man she only calls The Freak. (And what an apt name that is!) After her escape, everyone thinks Annie should be able to adjust to normal life now that she is home. But Annie’s experience has profoundly changed her. She can’t just go back to normal; the things that happened to her during that year are irreversible and scarring. In addition, Annie cannot accept the fact that she is safe now … that The Freak can’t hurt her anymore. As Annie’s story slowly unfolds during 26 sessions with the psychiatrist, we learn exactly what happened before, during and after the abduction and why Annie may be right that the full story of her abduction has yet to be revealed.5 Things I Thought While Reading and Reviewing Still Missing:
1. Open houses staffed by solo female realtors seem like a really bad idea. Annie is abducted during an open house, and the details of how it played out really freaked me out. If I was a realtor and read this book, I think it would give me serious pause about ever meeting a client alone at a house.
2. This book reminded me of ROOM by Emma Donoghue. Although I don’t want to spoil anything, there are important plot points between the two books that are pretty similar. If you ever wondered what ROOM would have been like if Ma had been the narrator instead of Jack, this book might give you a taste of that.
3. I love when an author keeps something up her sleeve to surprise you. Although I’m not the brightest bulb when it comes to mysteries (in fact, I’d estimate I’m a 40 watt bulb as far as the ability to figure out things ahead of time), I thought Stevens did a great job of keeping her readers surprised and engaged. Just when you think the story has been told, you find out there is more!
4. For a first-time author, Chevy Stevens is pretty darn self-assured and talented. She nails Annie’s voice—full of anger, doubt, attitude and vulnerability. As Annie works through her troubles during her psychiatric sessions, we come to know her and root for her. In a way, it felt like I was illicitly reading transcripts of actual therapy sessions.
5. Even though I read this book almost three months ago, I can still recall the names and details clearly. In other words, this is a book that sticks with you. So many mysteries/thrillers are so forgettable and interchangeable. If you asked me the details of the Lee Child book I read over the summer, I’d be hard-pressed to tell you anything about it. But Still Missing stuck with me, which makes it a cut above your average mystery/thriller.
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of mysteries/thrillers and haven’t checked this one out yet, read it without delay! This is a well-written, fast-paced, freaky thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing about all the little details. However, if you are faint-hearted or don’t like strong language, this might not be the best fit for you. This is definitely not a cozy!
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LibraryThing member katiekrug
Told through her sessions with a therapist, this is the story of Annie who is abducted, held in a remote cabin for over a year suffering daily abuse, and finally escapes. It is the story of her captivity and her return to "normal" life.
It was an easy read, but not a fun one. The descriptions of
It was an easy read, but not a fun one. The descriptions of
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what Annie goes through while being held captive were very disturbing and hard to read in parts. The book kept my attention and kept me turning the pages because it is well-paced and riveting in parts. The writing is adequate but it was quite obviously a work done by a first-time author. The characters were not well-developed and I did not find myself engaging with any of them. Even Annie came across as fairly one-dimensional. The "twist" at the end felt kind of forced. I don't think it was needed; the book would have been stronger if it focused on Annie's experience and recovery rather than trying to be suspenseful or surprising. All in all, a great premise that didn't live up to its potential. Show Less
LibraryThing member SugarCreekRanch
The first three quarters of this book was gripping. It's about the abduction and survival of a female real estate agent, and is told through her conversations with her therapist. Annie's "voice" is quite realistic, and it does seem like the way she would recall events in conversation. In the last
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quarter of the book, events are more current and Annie's dialogue doesn't sound as authentic, as a person reacting to what just happened. Still, it was a great suspenseful read and I would recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member kraaivrouw
I remember when I got about 25 or 30 pages into this and realized that the author was going to give me all the details of the narrator's kidnapping and imprisonment and I thought, "Oh boy. I don't know if I want to read this." As it happened I was stuck on BART with nothing else to read and I
Ms. Stevens tells a good story, but is still working some kinks out of her writing style. The choice of this story being told as a monologue to the narrator's therapist is a good one, but to really make that work the narrator's voice should have been a lot more clear. As it is she reads a bit like an article in a small town newspaper and I don't think that ultimately serves the character or the story very well.
All of that aside, the book is a gripping read and Ms. Stevens shows definite promise. I'll be interested to read her next book to see how she develops.
Thanks to the publisher for providing the ARC of this book.
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persevered. Lots of this was pretty brutal in a completely bone-chilling matter-of-fact sort of way and if you can get past the queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach and focus on the story it's a decent read. I went back and forth on whether or not I thought some of the detail provided was exploitative, but because it's handled in the way it is I decided it adds to the story rather than just making it violence porn, but just barely.Ms. Stevens tells a good story, but is still working some kinks out of her writing style. The choice of this story being told as a monologue to the narrator's therapist is a good one, but to really make that work the narrator's voice should have been a lot more clear. As it is she reads a bit like an article in a small town newspaper and I don't think that ultimately serves the character or the story very well.
All of that aside, the book is a gripping read and Ms. Stevens shows definite promise. I'll be interested to read her next book to see how she develops.
Thanks to the publisher for providing the ARC of this book.
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LibraryThing member woodsathome
I received this book at the end of a too long week when I was so tired I didn't think I would make it through dinner. I took it to bed intending to read a few chapters before drifting off --- and finished the book. Trust me , it's a page turner.
It is also quite a bit different than the standard
I'll be honest and say I thought the first 4-5 pages were poorly written. Presumably it was a transcription of Annie's first therapy session, but it was filled with statements like (not a direct quote) as I brushed my black hair that morning I looked for gray hairs, at thirty-two I had already found a few. I just really didn't need that kind of exposition - nobody talks that way. However, the story with it's unique vantage point was so compelling I rapidly got past that.
I would recommend for anyone who enjoys the crime mystery genre.
It is also quite a bit different than the standard
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psycho kidnaps woman/brave cop solves case. The author chooses to tell the story from the point of the victim, Annie, recounting her kidnapping, captivity, escape, and difficulties readjusting to her therapist.I'll be honest and say I thought the first 4-5 pages were poorly written. Presumably it was a transcription of Annie's first therapy session, but it was filled with statements like (not a direct quote) as I brushed my black hair that morning I looked for gray hairs, at thirty-two I had already found a few. I just really didn't need that kind of exposition - nobody talks that way. However, the story with it's unique vantage point was so compelling I rapidly got past that.
I would recommend for anyone who enjoys the crime mystery genre.
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LibraryThing member haidadareads
This was a great book! I kept turning the pages because I kept wanting to see where her situation would get better. Who knew the book would end the way it did. After Annie's return home, you think the book is over but the pieces only begin to fall into place and you understand why the book is
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titled "Still Missing". I wish this author the best with this debut when it hits the stores and will look for more books in years to come. Thanks for sending me an advanced copy : ) Show Less
LibraryThing member Kikoa
I just hate this site, I wrote my review and it erased it....Anyway, I refuse to give away the plot of this story. It grabs you as Anne first walks her dog and takes you on a roller coaster ride through fear and torture,"freedom" and on. I think this was such a success. Bravo! Keep on writing.
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LibraryThing member Litfan
It's really hard to believe this is a debut novel. It's one of those novels that completely takes you out of your own world, and its 340 pages flew by for me in one sitting. It is horrifying, at times to the point that I wanted to step away, but I found that I couldn't because the story was far,
It details Annie O'Sullivan's account of her yearlong captivity at the hands of a psychopath. The story is told in bits and pieces through her sessions with her therapist; it flashes between her captivity and her life upon returning home. Initially it seems the worst is over once Annie is safe at home, but the story is only just beginning. It's a roller coaster ride of twists and turns, but it never has the "saw that coming miles away" element that some suspense fiction has. It's always engaging, and often surprising.
As others have noted, there are difficult parts to the book that, for me, were quite traumatizing to read. That I felt traumatized by them seems a testimony to the power of Stevens' writing-- we don't just observe Annie's experiences, we live through them with her in a very visceral way. As a side note, as a therapist I often cringe when novelists attempt to inject psychology into their stories and miss the mark. But I was quite impressed at Stevens' grasp of psychology, particularly the impact of trauma. She did her homework, and the result is a powerful psychological portrait of a broken, but incredibly strong, young woman.
This is a great, intelligent thriller-- just don't read it when you're home alone.
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far too gripping to put down.It details Annie O'Sullivan's account of her yearlong captivity at the hands of a psychopath. The story is told in bits and pieces through her sessions with her therapist; it flashes between her captivity and her life upon returning home. Initially it seems the worst is over once Annie is safe at home, but the story is only just beginning. It's a roller coaster ride of twists and turns, but it never has the "saw that coming miles away" element that some suspense fiction has. It's always engaging, and often surprising.
As others have noted, there are difficult parts to the book that, for me, were quite traumatizing to read. That I felt traumatized by them seems a testimony to the power of Stevens' writing-- we don't just observe Annie's experiences, we live through them with her in a very visceral way. As a side note, as a therapist I often cringe when novelists attempt to inject psychology into their stories and miss the mark. But I was quite impressed at Stevens' grasp of psychology, particularly the impact of trauma. She did her homework, and the result is a powerful psychological portrait of a broken, but incredibly strong, young woman.
This is a great, intelligent thriller-- just don't read it when you're home alone.
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LibraryThing member TheCrowdedLeaf
Still Missing is Chevy Stevens’ debut novel, and if her first book has anything to say about her writing, I would bet she’s going to be sticking with the thriller genre for sometime.
Annie O’Sullivan was pretty content with her life at the age of thirty-two. A semi-successful realtor, she has
As a debut novel, Still Missing was impressive. Once I became involved in Annie’s plot, it was hard to put down, even during the most disturbing and difficult parts. Many times I wanted to cry with Annie, for Annie. But she persevered and so did I. Stevens’ doesn’t mince over the more difficult aspects of the kidnapping, it’s not hard for the reader to figure out what’s going to happen to Annie. It’s a difficult read, sometimes explicit, and many times heartbreaking.
My only complaint is the inconsistency between the two narrative parts. At the beginning and end of each chapter Annie is supposedly speaking to her therapist. My problem is that Doc never speaks back to Annie, and there are no quotation marks to signify speech. It’s almost like reading a letter that Annie is writing to her therapist. Later in the novel when Annie has dealings in the present with family members and the police there is regular dialogue, so I wish Stevens’ had blended these two parts instead of trying to separate Annie talking to Doc from Annie’s story. It seemed like a tool an inexperienced writer would rely on, and I think Stevens’ is better than that.
Still Missing is not an easy read, Annie is kidnapped and raped and even worse things happen to her. But if you can get past the difficult parts you will find Stevens’ debut a gripping thriller and Annie’s story a powerful one.
Annie O’Sullivan was pretty content with her life at the age of thirty-two. A semi-successful realtor, she has
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a good boyfriend, a fabulous old Victorian house, and a loving golden retriever named Emma. On a day like any other she’s at an open house for one of her listings. She’s about to pack up and head home when a last potential client pulls up. Little does Annie know, but the potential client has been stalking her for years. Still Missing is Annie’s story about the year she spent as a hostage to The Freak, and the deep hole of depression and fear she’s working her way out of, all while trying to help the police identify her kidnapper and the people who may have helped him.As a debut novel, Still Missing was impressive. Once I became involved in Annie’s plot, it was hard to put down, even during the most disturbing and difficult parts. Many times I wanted to cry with Annie, for Annie. But she persevered and so did I. Stevens’ doesn’t mince over the more difficult aspects of the kidnapping, it’s not hard for the reader to figure out what’s going to happen to Annie. It’s a difficult read, sometimes explicit, and many times heartbreaking.
My only complaint is the inconsistency between the two narrative parts. At the beginning and end of each chapter Annie is supposedly speaking to her therapist. My problem is that Doc never speaks back to Annie, and there are no quotation marks to signify speech. It’s almost like reading a letter that Annie is writing to her therapist. Later in the novel when Annie has dealings in the present with family members and the police there is regular dialogue, so I wish Stevens’ had blended these two parts instead of trying to separate Annie talking to Doc from Annie’s story. It seemed like a tool an inexperienced writer would rely on, and I think Stevens’ is better than that.
Still Missing is not an easy read, Annie is kidnapped and raped and even worse things happen to her. But if you can get past the difficult parts you will find Stevens’ debut a gripping thriller and Annie’s story a powerful one.
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LibraryThing member bookwormygirl
Still Missing is about a young woman named Annie O'Sullivan. She's 32, a real estate agent, has a patient and loving boyfriend, lives in her dream house with her dog Emma. Things are looking up for her at work since she is in the running for head realtor of a big condo complex. Her biggest worries
Told through her sessions with her psychiatrist you learn of Annie's year-long captivity with a sadistic psychopath in a remote cabin somewhere up in the mountains. Through these same sessions you also learn of her struggle as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life and put them back together again, regain her shattered spirit, and the ongoing police investigation to identify her captor.
WOW!!!
This isn't the type of book that you say you love because it's about such a disturbing and scary subject, but it is definitely one that you cannot put down. I literally lost sleep in order to read this book (and no, I'm not complaining). Ms. Stevens does a phenomenal job in not only telling you Annie's story, but making you live it with her. There were times where I was hearing her talk and I listened as her therapist while other times I felt as if I were Annie herself.
This book isn't always easy to read and I will forewarn that Annie is physically, mentally and sexually abused. But I must also say that I think it is told in a matter where it isn't offensive, overly graphic nor crude.
Overall, this was a very good novel (if unsettling). It will break your heart countless times (yes, I did cry more than once), but I must admit it is one of the best thrillers I've ever read. Chevy Stevens is one author that I will definitely have an eye out for. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.
This book was provided for review by St. Martin's Press.
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are when her mother plans on returning her cappuccino maker, arriving on time for dinner with the boyfriend and selling the property that she is hosting an open house for. At the end of her day when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all. She was wrong.Told through her sessions with her psychiatrist you learn of Annie's year-long captivity with a sadistic psychopath in a remote cabin somewhere up in the mountains. Through these same sessions you also learn of her struggle as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life and put them back together again, regain her shattered spirit, and the ongoing police investigation to identify her captor.
WOW!!!
This isn't the type of book that you say you love because it's about such a disturbing and scary subject, but it is definitely one that you cannot put down. I literally lost sleep in order to read this book (and no, I'm not complaining). Ms. Stevens does a phenomenal job in not only telling you Annie's story, but making you live it with her. There were times where I was hearing her talk and I listened as her therapist while other times I felt as if I were Annie herself.
This book isn't always easy to read and I will forewarn that Annie is physically, mentally and sexually abused. But I must also say that I think it is told in a matter where it isn't offensive, overly graphic nor crude.
Overall, this was a very good novel (if unsettling). It will break your heart countless times (yes, I did cry more than once), but I must admit it is one of the best thrillers I've ever read. Chevy Stevens is one author that I will definitely have an eye out for. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.
This book was provided for review by St. Martin's Press.
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LibraryThing member maryintexas39
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens blew me away! What an amazing first novel. I am a librarian and will be recommended this book like crazy. Annie Sullivan is a strong character. This book will make you sweat and cringe. It will also make you laugh and cry. It's very suspenseful and I loved how Ms.
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Stevens brought the before and aftermath together. Once you start reading you will not want to stop!!! Show Less
LibraryThing member CMash
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens (ARC)
Published by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 978-0-312-59567-8
At the request of both St. Martin's Press and Librarything, an ARC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (from book): On the day she was abducted, Annie O'Sullivan, a thirty-two-year-old
But nothing could be further from the truth.
Through sessions with her psychiatrist, Annie retells the terrifying story of the year she spent captive in a remote mountain cabin. Interwoven is a second narrative recounting the aftermath of her escape and her struggle to piece her life back together.
The truth doesn't always set you free.
My Thoughts and Opinion: There is a buzz about this book around the blogosphere and now I know why. The following review is very generalized because I will not include any spoilers, which there were many throughout the novel. The author writes a phenomenal story, whereas she gets inside the head of Annie O'Sullivan and conveys those emotions to the reader. It was a true Stockholm Syndrome account, that at times, read as a non fiction. I must admit that I did think of Elizabeth Smart while reading this book and thinking that she might have lived through this same type of horrifying ordeal. The chapters are broken down to individual therapist's appointments where Annie relives and tells of a different incident that she dealt with. The plot was of a horrifying, "page turning", "can't put down" story that Annie lived through and her thought process to survive. At times, I found myself holding my breath, as the writer tells of different details that Annie had to deal with, both physical and emotional torture.. There were sub plots of Annie's life before, during, and after the abduction. And the relationships of those that she loved and trusted. The suspense was fast paced and palpable !!! The ending was an alarming, surprising and intense finale!!! This is one author to watch !!! I highly recommend this book be read.
My Rating: 5
Published by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 978-0-312-59567-8
At the request of both St. Martin's Press and Librarything, an ARC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (from book): On the day she was abducted, Annie O'Sullivan, a thirty-two-year-old
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realtor, had three goals-sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The Open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.But nothing could be further from the truth.
Through sessions with her psychiatrist, Annie retells the terrifying story of the year she spent captive in a remote mountain cabin. Interwoven is a second narrative recounting the aftermath of her escape and her struggle to piece her life back together.
The truth doesn't always set you free.
My Thoughts and Opinion: There is a buzz about this book around the blogosphere and now I know why. The following review is very generalized because I will not include any spoilers, which there were many throughout the novel. The author writes a phenomenal story, whereas she gets inside the head of Annie O'Sullivan and conveys those emotions to the reader. It was a true Stockholm Syndrome account, that at times, read as a non fiction. I must admit that I did think of Elizabeth Smart while reading this book and thinking that she might have lived through this same type of horrifying ordeal. The chapters are broken down to individual therapist's appointments where Annie relives and tells of a different incident that she dealt with. The plot was of a horrifying, "page turning", "can't put down" story that Annie lived through and her thought process to survive. At times, I found myself holding my breath, as the writer tells of different details that Annie had to deal with, both physical and emotional torture.. There were sub plots of Annie's life before, during, and after the abduction. And the relationships of those that she loved and trusted. The suspense was fast paced and palpable !!! The ending was an alarming, surprising and intense finale!!! This is one author to watch !!! I highly recommend this book be read.
My Rating: 5
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LibraryThing member skstiles612
Annie O'Sullivan was your typical young woman working to succeed and get ahead in the real estate business when her life took a terrible turn. After showing a prospective buyer a house she is abducted at gun point, drugged and taken to a remote cabin. Unable to leave, given a set of rules to
The story was an interesting read, one I couldn't put down until I had read the last page. It is sometimes told through the one-sided conversations she has with her shrink. I was in someways disappointed we never heard from the shrink. I do have to admit it was a unique way to handle the story. I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to those who like psychological mysteries or thriller.
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follow, such as when she is allowed to pee, take a bath, etc. Annie just wants someone to find her. Instead she endures a year of being raped, beaten and mentally abused, a pregnancy and death of her child. All of this is at the hands of a man she calles "The Freak", who acts like a loving caring husband one minute and a cold sadistic man the next. When she finally escapes she finds she can't put it behind her because there are too many unanswered questions. Did "The Freak" have an accomplice? The story was an interesting read, one I couldn't put down until I had read the last page. It is sometimes told through the one-sided conversations she has with her shrink. I was in someways disappointed we never heard from the shrink. I do have to admit it was a unique way to handle the story. I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to those who like psychological mysteries or thriller.
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LibraryThing member ForeignCircus
I really enjoyed the structure of this book- a kidnap victim talking to her therapist to work through her complicated fears and feelings in the aftermath of the abduction. The narrative voice was strong, and Annie was definitely a character that pulls the reader into the story. The majority of the
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book deals with Annie's quest to recapture some of the life she used to lead, and this portion of the narrative is definitely 5 stars. For me, the ongoing question of the identity of her captor was less compelling, and the plot twist that resolves this central mystery wasn't as shocking as I believe it was meant to be; it was this element of the story that made the overall book 4 stars for me. Still, a great summer read from a talented author! Show Less
LibraryThing member julyso
Annie O'Sullivan is a real estate agent who is kidnapped at her open house and kept prisoner for a year. THE FREAK (her name for him) takes her to a remote cabin, locks her up, and makes her follow his strict rules. He repeatedly rapes her, abuses her, and is violent towards her. She never knows
This book is different, but in a really neat way. The victim tells us most of her story through sessions with her therapist. It is fascinating, and you will want to quickly finish it to find out how it all ends. Annie is very likable and I was rooting for her throughout her ordeal. She does a couple of things I found questionable, but overall the story is very believable. Lots of good twists!
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what will set him off, so she is always walking on eggshells. While she is held captive, she dreams of home, her boyfriend, her dog, her family...will she ever see any of them again?This book is different, but in a really neat way. The victim tells us most of her story through sessions with her therapist. It is fascinating, and you will want to quickly finish it to find out how it all ends. Annie is very likable and I was rooting for her throughout her ordeal. She does a couple of things I found questionable, but overall the story is very believable. Lots of good twists!
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LibraryThing member mzonderm
There is very little that's original in this book, which is a shame because it's quite well-written. But overall, it's a fairly standard abduction story, told from the point of view of an adult abductee. There are a few plot twists thrown in along the way, both during the time she was abducted, and
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once she returns, but overall her reactions and thoughts are a little too predictable. Show Less
LibraryThing member vancouverdeb
This is one of the best psychological thriller's I have read in some time. If you are hesitating over purchasing /read ingthis book - don't! I was somewhat anxious about purchasing this book because it is a debut novel . Well - this was one of the more fascinating, enthralling reads I've had in
If you are fan of Lisa Gardner or Karin Slaughter, you will love this book. Perhaps Chevy Stevens will prove to be the best author of the three. I know I look very forward to Chevy Steven's next book.
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quite a long time. The plot of this book is fabulous - a bit of twist at the end. Initialy I had a bit of trouble getting into the story because Annie - the abducted woman tells her story partly through speaking to her therapist , and also directly to the audience in real time. However, about 80 pages in I was totally caught up in the plot and the well developed and fascinating characters. I could not put the book down until the finish!If you are fan of Lisa Gardner or Karin Slaughter, you will love this book. Perhaps Chevy Stevens will prove to be the best author of the three. I know I look very forward to Chevy Steven's next book.
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LibraryThing member sueo
This was one of those "call in sick to work because I can't put this book down" kind of books!
LibraryThing member justablondemoment
Annie is showing a house and is closing up for the day when one last 'buyer' shows up. Thinking what the heck she leads him into the house only to find herself in the back of a van minutes later. It is now a year later and this is her story of that abduction and her escape.
I started this book as
I started this book as
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soon as I received it and finished it in the same day. Couldn't put it down. As I got closer to the end it was easy to see where the story was heading. I have to say although, I really got into this book the ending put me back into the reality of 'ooh yeah this is only fiction' until then it really had the feel of a true story. Not to say that the spin on the end wasn't good just that it changed the tone for me. Still, even with the change of direction it was an awesome book. I'll remember it for awhile. Show Less
LibraryThing member JackieBlem
This is a powerhouse of a debut novel, and is certainly one of the "buzz" books this summer. And justifiably so. This is a masterful book of psychological suspense and a brilliant character study that is haunting in its extremes--a real summer page turner with some serious literary chops.
It's the
It's the
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story of Anne O'Sullivan, a 32 year old realtor who was abducted from an open house and held captive for over a year in a mountain cabin by a psychopath whom she only refers to as "The Freak", who wants his own family. There are moments of graphic violence, but the true horror comes from the constant and unpredictable possibility of it. The most interesting thing is that the story is told in a single voice--Anne's--as she tells her therapist about her confinement, her escape, and how she's adjusting, or not adjusting, now that she's "back". It's about the aftereffects of trauma as much as it is about the trauma itself. It's about what surviving does to a person, how it changes them, how to go back to an old life as a new person. It's utterly fascinating, and some of the points brought up by Anne in her sessions will linger with you for a long, long, long time. The last line of the book will break your heart--but do not cheat and read ahead--it's far better you end the book on that note. Trust me on this. Show Less
Awards
Evergreen Award (Nominee — 2011)
International Thriller Writers Award (Winner — First Novel — 2011)
Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence (Shortlist — First Novel — 2011)
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year (Mystery — 2010)