Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Arrow (2017), Edition: 01, 448 pages
Description
"Ten years after her teenage daughter disappears, a woman crosses paths with a charming single father whose young child feels eerily familiar, in this evocative, suspenseful drama from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell--perfect for fans of Paula Hawkins and Liane Moriarty. Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. She was beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers. She and her boyfriend made a teenaged golden couple. She was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her. And then she was gone. Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It's been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie's case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a cafe, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she's meeting Floyd's daughters--and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel's breath away. Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she's tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member alanteder
Creepy Mystery with Reality-Challenged Plot Turns
Review of the Audible Audio edition narrated by Helen Duff
I'm going to keep this spoiler free so there will be no plot details here. It was sad, then it became suspenseful, then it became creepy, then it became disturbing & repulsive and then it
The narration by Helen Duff was excellent, especially with the number of voices that she had to manage.
Review of the Audible Audio edition narrated by Helen Duff
I'm going to keep this spoiler free so there will be no plot details here. It was sad, then it became suspenseful, then it became creepy, then it became disturbing & repulsive and then it
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resolved in a resigned best-as-can-be solution. Some of the plot turns seemed a stretch to me, but obviously they are plotted for dramatic effect and certainly they had that. I guess I am just more comfortable with more conventional mysteries. The narration by Helen Duff was excellent, especially with the number of voices that she had to manage.
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LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian
This was a psychological thriller that I had a hard time putting down. I finished it quickly because I just wanted to see what was going to happen. This story has not violence per se, which is a great way to set the stage for a great read. Ellie was a fifteen year old who wants to do better in
This was a very suspenseful story. It was told in the past and the present with Laurel as the main narrator. The story was a bit creepy and dark, with some characters that definitely had some major character flaws as well as mental health issues. I was able to figure out what had happened to Ellie pretty early as most other reviewers also said. That being said, the story still captured my interest as I wanted to know if Laurel would figure it out, as well as what had happened to the kidnapper. The author is a great storyteller and structures her plots very well. The minor narrators played a very important role in the story and the revealing of the crime. I will definitely look for more books by Lisa Jewell. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
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Math. She convinces her mother to hire a tutor for her that produces great results. Heading off to the library on morning, she disappears. It is determined by the police that she is a runaway and 10 years later when this story takes place, there has been no sign of her or her body. Her disappearance takes a huge toll on the family. Laurel and Paul divorce and Laurel has difficult relationships with her two surviving children. Will they ever find out what really happened to Ellie?This was a very suspenseful story. It was told in the past and the present with Laurel as the main narrator. The story was a bit creepy and dark, with some characters that definitely had some major character flaws as well as mental health issues. I was able to figure out what had happened to Ellie pretty early as most other reviewers also said. That being said, the story still captured my interest as I wanted to know if Laurel would figure it out, as well as what had happened to the kidnapper. The author is a great storyteller and structures her plots very well. The minor narrators played a very important role in the story and the revealing of the crime. I will definitely look for more books by Lisa Jewell. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
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LibraryThing member linda.a.
Regarded by everyone, but particularly by her mother, as a happy, well-adjusted “golden-girl”, Ellie Mack was just fifteen when she disappeared. Extensive searches revealed no sign of her and the generally accepted view became that she had run away because she was feeling stressed about her
This story is told mainly through the eyes of Ellie and Laurel but, as it progresses, other character’s voices are heard. It is through this device, which I thought was very well executed, that the truth behind Ellie’s disappearance is gradually told. The story was full of suspense and many twists and turns and although at a very early stage in the book I had guessed what had happened to Ellie, and the consequent links with the present, there were a couple of developments which did come as a surprise and influenced my decision to give this four stars. There were some very moving moments during the story-telling and, towards the end I was moved to tears by one of the unexpected twists in the story.
This is psychological thriller’s major strength lies in its well-developed and credible characters rather than on lots of action-packed scenarios and there wasn’t one character which felt superfluous to the plot. They were so well-drawn that there were times when I felt some sympathy for even the more disagreeable ones! The author’s writing style is taut and focused and engaged my attention throughout so I would certainly be tempted read one of her previous books.
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upcoming GCSE exams. However, her mother, Laurel, is unable to accept this and, to the detriment of her relationships with her husband and two surviving children, she never gives up hope of finding Ellie alive. Ten years later her marriage has failed, she isn’t close to her grown up son and daughter and she is living alone. However, a life-changing event enables her to start to move on and she meets the charismatic Floyd and feels able to make an emotional investment in their developing relationship. He is a single parent to his nine year old daughter Poppy, a precociously bright child who is home-schooled by him. When Laurel first meets Poppy she is struck by how much she is like Ellie was at the same age and a bond quickly forms between them. However, before too long Laurel begins to feel an increasing sense of disquiet about Floyd’s past, particularly his relationship with Poppy’s mother. She starts to wonder how far she can trust either him or her new-found happiness.This story is told mainly through the eyes of Ellie and Laurel but, as it progresses, other character’s voices are heard. It is through this device, which I thought was very well executed, that the truth behind Ellie’s disappearance is gradually told. The story was full of suspense and many twists and turns and although at a very early stage in the book I had guessed what had happened to Ellie, and the consequent links with the present, there were a couple of developments which did come as a surprise and influenced my decision to give this four stars. There were some very moving moments during the story-telling and, towards the end I was moved to tears by one of the unexpected twists in the story.
This is psychological thriller’s major strength lies in its well-developed and credible characters rather than on lots of action-packed scenarios and there wasn’t one character which felt superfluous to the plot. They were so well-drawn that there were times when I felt some sympathy for even the more disagreeable ones! The author’s writing style is taut and focused and engaged my attention throughout so I would certainly be tempted read one of her previous books.
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LibraryThing member iadam
I received a free advance e-copy of this book and have chosen to write an honest and unbiased review. I have no personal affiliation with the author. Wow! This is a hell of a story. A teenage girl is missing; did she run away or was she kidnapped? Was she murdered or is she still alive somewhere?
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Full of surprises and unexpected twists and turns. The action and suspense never quit. There are characters that are extremely damaged and hurt, some are so self-centered that they never think of anyone but themselves, others are just dysfunctional, and one is just SOOO SICK. Of course there are some that are kind and caring. This is an extremely disturbing story. At one point of abandonment I felt so sick to my stomach I almost didn’t finish reading, but then I just had to find out what was going to happen. This is a well-written mystery/thriller with an amazing plot and excellent character development with a sad/happy ending. This book is well worth the read and will keep you awake at night. I look forward to reading more from Lisa Jewell in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member miss.mesmerized
Ellie just wants to go to the library to study for her GCSEs. But she never arrives there and is never seen again. Her mother Laurel is sure that her daughter is still alive, but where? Ten years pass by, the family splits up and Laurel is alone with her grief. When she meets Floyd, she experiences
Lisa Jewell tells the story of the vanished girl from different perspectives at different points of time. Thus, the full picture is only revealed bit by bit throughout the story and the tension is constantly kept high. You never know whom you can really trust, what is true and what isn’t, you can guess, but at times, you might be completely wrong.
I especially liked the mystery about Floyd and his daughter. At the first glance, they appear to be a bit too perfect, too lovely and likeable to be real. Just because of this you become suspicious. Is Floyd the nice loving man or is he simply evil? What might happen to Laurel when she keeps on dating him? From the experience of reading thrillers you are convinced that sooner or later something really wicked will happen, you simply wait for it to happen all the time – of course you still hope that by some miracle the nice and decent woman is spared another nightmare in her life.
“Then she was gone” is not a too bloody thriller, but it is creepy due to the characters and you always teeter on a knife edge about what is going to happen next. So, Lisa Jewell successfully plays on the reader’s nerves – just what I would expect from a good thriller.
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happiness for the first time in many years. Can this be true? Finding love at the age of 55? But why is the famous writer in love with her, this old, nondescript woman? When she meets Floyd’s daughter Poppy for the first time, a vile thought is planted in her head. Was their encounter really a coincidence? Who is that man in reality?Lisa Jewell tells the story of the vanished girl from different perspectives at different points of time. Thus, the full picture is only revealed bit by bit throughout the story and the tension is constantly kept high. You never know whom you can really trust, what is true and what isn’t, you can guess, but at times, you might be completely wrong.
I especially liked the mystery about Floyd and his daughter. At the first glance, they appear to be a bit too perfect, too lovely and likeable to be real. Just because of this you become suspicious. Is Floyd the nice loving man or is he simply evil? What might happen to Laurel when she keeps on dating him? From the experience of reading thrillers you are convinced that sooner or later something really wicked will happen, you simply wait for it to happen all the time – of course you still hope that by some miracle the nice and decent woman is spared another nightmare in her life.
“Then she was gone” is not a too bloody thriller, but it is creepy due to the characters and you always teeter on a knife edge about what is going to happen next. So, Lisa Jewell successfully plays on the reader’s nerves – just what I would expect from a good thriller.
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LibraryThing member Irish01
Then She Was Gone is the fifteenth novel by Lisa Jewell, and is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Laurel Mack has never really recovered from the disappearance of her 15 year old daughter Ellie, which happened over ten years ago. Since then, with her family having fractured under the unimaginable stress
SPOILER ALERT 1:
Then Ellie’s remains are found.
Laurel then tries to move on, eventually meeting then dating the staying over with a guy called Floyd Dunn.
So that’s going well until…
SPOILER ALERT 2:
She meets his nine-year-old daughter Poppy. Cue striking resemblance to Ellie. All the old haunting unanswered questions flood back - Where did she go, was she a runaway, or kidnapped? And new questions – why does Laurel feel there is a connection with Poppy & Ellie?
Then She Was Gone now begins to pick up pace for, even though you as a reader know what happened, you are drawn to find out HOW it happened, to connect the dots, to put together the various pieces.
Jewell has created a Psychological thriller story that hooks you very early on, with an intriguing and absorbing plot that is strengthened by coming from four different viewpoints, mainly from Laurel and Ellie. Jewell’s characters in the main are well-written, people that you could empathise and maybe connect with, with flesh on the bones as it were, but one main character could in my opinion have done with some more background context, to explain how they got to their particular viewpoint of life.
There are some good plot twists and, while some may find it predictable overall, I enjoyed the fast pace and compelling plot, with the discovery and tearing apart of hidden agendas that draws you in and keeps you reading until the wee small hours. It can be a little scary, emotional, and definitely chilling. You may find yourself driving your child to the library from now on! I enjoyed the psychological insights peppered throughout the book, the tensions of the familial relationships, the fragility of the healing process, and the overall level of sinister darkness.
Laurel Mack has never really recovered from the disappearance of her 15 year old daughter Ellie, which happened over ten years ago. Since then, with her family having fractured under the unimaginable stress
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of this terrible event, Laurel has (amicably) divorced her husband [Paul], though relations with her other two (now adult) children [Hanna & Jake] are strained. They have moved on, trying to get their lives together, but Laurel cannot give up the spark of hope that she will find Ellie alive.SPOILER ALERT 1:
Then Ellie’s remains are found.
Laurel then tries to move on, eventually meeting then dating the staying over with a guy called Floyd Dunn.
So that’s going well until…
SPOILER ALERT 2:
She meets his nine-year-old daughter Poppy. Cue striking resemblance to Ellie. All the old haunting unanswered questions flood back - Where did she go, was she a runaway, or kidnapped? And new questions – why does Laurel feel there is a connection with Poppy & Ellie?
Then She Was Gone now begins to pick up pace for, even though you as a reader know what happened, you are drawn to find out HOW it happened, to connect the dots, to put together the various pieces.
Jewell has created a Psychological thriller story that hooks you very early on, with an intriguing and absorbing plot that is strengthened by coming from four different viewpoints, mainly from Laurel and Ellie. Jewell’s characters in the main are well-written, people that you could empathise and maybe connect with, with flesh on the bones as it were, but one main character could in my opinion have done with some more background context, to explain how they got to their particular viewpoint of life.
There are some good plot twists and, while some may find it predictable overall, I enjoyed the fast pace and compelling plot, with the discovery and tearing apart of hidden agendas that draws you in and keeps you reading until the wee small hours. It can be a little scary, emotional, and definitely chilling. You may find yourself driving your child to the library from now on! I enjoyed the psychological insights peppered throughout the book, the tensions of the familial relationships, the fragility of the healing process, and the overall level of sinister darkness.
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LibraryThing member maggie1961
What a sad and dark yet magnificent novel. As of yet, Lisa Jewell somehow missed my home library after reading this novel, she is welcome to flood my shelves.
Laurel Mack is a mother of three. Or maybe two. She really doesn’t know. Ten years ago, her beautiful 15 year old daughter Ellie
With Ellie’s disappearance and no closure Laurel shut down. She was so consumed by her grief that she didn’t realize what she had and while Ellie is gone, her family has lost Laurel too and as a result she has a strained relationship with her remaining children and her husband has moved on without her.
Now 10 years have passed, Laurel meets a man and she’s ready to start living again realizing all she’s missed for the last 10 robotic years. When she meets Floyd’s youngest daughter she is struck by the familiarity and resemblance to her missing daughter. But everyone looks like someone else, don’t they?
As she becomes more involved with Floyd and his daughter Poppy, uncertainty digs at her. Is she just haunted by the past and seeing what she wants to see or is there more to the story?
There weren’t a whole lot of surprises for me, I knew the what but didn’t fully know the how and had to not so patiently wait to uncover the whole story. It’s written mostly as Laurel’s story but a very brief portion of narration by Laurel’s boyfriend, Floyd and the mother Poppy barely remembers, Nicole, creeps in. Noelle was one crazy woman but she was definitely a hoot. I loved her sarcastic narration and I did love how some periodic humour in the story lightened it a little. And made me laugh.
I love books of this kind but they don’t generally affect me as emotionally as this one did. It was so heartbreaking when I started to piece it all together and just the tragedy of it all was overwhelming and senseless. At times I almost didn’t want to keep reading as I didn’t want certain things to be true but this book was so compelling I couldn’t stay away from it. Lisa Jewell has a beautiful picturesque descriptive flow of writing as though the reader is actually there and not just a spectator.
I highly recommend this absorbing tale, it’s s solid five stars for me. I received an ARC copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Laurel Mack is a mother of three. Or maybe two. She really doesn’t know. Ten years ago, her beautiful 15 year old daughter Ellie
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disappeared and no sign of her has been seen since. How could she just disappear? How could no one know where she was? One person did know. And that person isn’t telling. With Ellie’s disappearance and no closure Laurel shut down. She was so consumed by her grief that she didn’t realize what she had and while Ellie is gone, her family has lost Laurel too and as a result she has a strained relationship with her remaining children and her husband has moved on without her.
Now 10 years have passed, Laurel meets a man and she’s ready to start living again realizing all she’s missed for the last 10 robotic years. When she meets Floyd’s youngest daughter she is struck by the familiarity and resemblance to her missing daughter. But everyone looks like someone else, don’t they?
As she becomes more involved with Floyd and his daughter Poppy, uncertainty digs at her. Is she just haunted by the past and seeing what she wants to see or is there more to the story?
There weren’t a whole lot of surprises for me, I knew the what but didn’t fully know the how and had to not so patiently wait to uncover the whole story. It’s written mostly as Laurel’s story but a very brief portion of narration by Laurel’s boyfriend, Floyd and the mother Poppy barely remembers, Nicole, creeps in. Noelle was one crazy woman but she was definitely a hoot. I loved her sarcastic narration and I did love how some periodic humour in the story lightened it a little. And made me laugh.
I love books of this kind but they don’t generally affect me as emotionally as this one did. It was so heartbreaking when I started to piece it all together and just the tragedy of it all was overwhelming and senseless. At times I almost didn’t want to keep reading as I didn’t want certain things to be true but this book was so compelling I couldn’t stay away from it. Lisa Jewell has a beautiful picturesque descriptive flow of writing as though the reader is actually there and not just a spectator.
I highly recommend this absorbing tale, it’s s solid five stars for me. I received an ARC copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read and review this book.
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LibraryThing member PattyLouise
Title...Then She Was Gone
Author...Lisa Jewell
My " in a nutshell" summary...
Ellie Mack was abducted by her maths teacher...Noelle...and kept captive in a basement room. During her captivity she was drugged and impregnated artificially by this maths teacher. Ellie was 16 years old. Ten years later
My thoughts after reading this book...
I loved this book. The sadness and the realness of this book just drew me in to this broken family. Ellie’s life...after her disappearance was so sad and awful. Noelle was horrifying.
What I loved about this book...
I loved Laurel. Her life after Ellie was taken was heartbreaking. Her happiness when she met Floyd and Poppy...I wanted this to work for them but it was not meant to be.
What I did not love about this book...
Noelle...the bizarre and evil maths teacher. Her selfishness was truly horrifying. What she did to Ellie and Laurel and their family was beyond forgiveness.
Final thoughts...
Would this be a good choice for you...potential reader?
Readers who love a thought provoking story with truly engaging as well as unnerving characters should enjoy reading this book. Everything in this book felt real...the sadness...and even the little odd bits of happiness felt real. I was engaged by these characters from the beginning.
I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.
Author...Lisa Jewell
My " in a nutshell" summary...
Ellie Mack was abducted by her maths teacher...Noelle...and kept captive in a basement room. During her captivity she was drugged and impregnated artificially by this maths teacher. Ellie was 16 years old. Ten years later
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her bones are found and her devastated mother meets a man who has a 9 year old daughter who looks just like Ellie. This would be the lovely yet unusual Poppy. Poppy’s father...Floyd...contrived to meet Laurel...Ellie’s heartbroken mother. Ellie’s family has been destroyed and separated. During Laurel’s relationship with Floyd bits of information about Ellie’s disappearance are uncovered. The key question seems to be this...why does Poppy look and act so much like Ellie? My thoughts after reading this book...
I loved this book. The sadness and the realness of this book just drew me in to this broken family. Ellie’s life...after her disappearance was so sad and awful. Noelle was horrifying.
What I loved about this book...
I loved Laurel. Her life after Ellie was taken was heartbreaking. Her happiness when she met Floyd and Poppy...I wanted this to work for them but it was not meant to be.
What I did not love about this book...
Noelle...the bizarre and evil maths teacher. Her selfishness was truly horrifying. What she did to Ellie and Laurel and their family was beyond forgiveness.
Final thoughts...
Would this be a good choice for you...potential reader?
Readers who love a thought provoking story with truly engaging as well as unnerving characters should enjoy reading this book. Everything in this book felt real...the sadness...and even the little odd bits of happiness felt real. I was engaged by these characters from the beginning.
I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.
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LibraryThing member jhullie
Fantastic book. I really enjoyed it. The sadness of the missing girl, the pain of those left behind and the different perspectives were perfectly executed.
LibraryThing member PamV
This was a very entertaining and engaging mystery/thriller. I will say that while some of the story was quite predictable other parts have left me guessing and scratching my head.
I am never disappointed with a Lisa Jewell book. Many thanks to netgalley and Atria books for this advanced readers copy
I am never disappointed with a Lisa Jewell book. Many thanks to netgalley and Atria books for this advanced readers copy
LibraryThing member debkrenzer
4.5 Stars
This was my fifth book by Lisa Jewell. I know when I see her name, I'm in for a good thrilling page turner that will keep me up all night.
However, part way through this book I had determined that I knew exactly what happened to Ellie, a child who turned up missing at the age of 15. Out the
Alas, just a few more pages in and while it was pretty similar to what I thought was actually going on, it did sway a little differently. Well, duh, it is Lisa Jewell.
However, with that being said, for me, I found this to be a decent read, not my favorite, but a helluva lot better than some books I've read.
The characters were out there. Noelle was cray, cray; Floyd was very strange and very creepy which certainly rubbed off on his daughter, Poppy, and Laurel was too trusting, too quickly.
I really liked the ending and am certainly glad that I got to enjoy it.
Kudos to the author for the entertainment and thanks to Atria Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This was my fifth book by Lisa Jewell. I know when I see her name, I'm in for a good thrilling page turner that will keep me up all night.
However, part way through this book I had determined that I knew exactly what happened to Ellie, a child who turned up missing at the age of 15. Out the
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front door on the way to the library in which she never arrived. I was so bummed that I had it figured out. I was thinking, with all the 5 star ratings, what's up?Alas, just a few more pages in and while it was pretty similar to what I thought was actually going on, it did sway a little differently. Well, duh, it is Lisa Jewell.
However, with that being said, for me, I found this to be a decent read, not my favorite, but a helluva lot better than some books I've read.
The characters were out there. Noelle was cray, cray; Floyd was very strange and very creepy which certainly rubbed off on his daughter, Poppy, and Laurel was too trusting, too quickly.
I really liked the ending and am certainly glad that I got to enjoy it.
Kudos to the author for the entertainment and thanks to Atria Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
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LibraryThing member KatherineGregg
15 year old Ellie Mack goes missing and it remains an unsolved mystery for ten years until bits and pieces of her bones are identified.
LibraryThing member Beamis12
Ellie was fifteen eager to take her exams. Now that she had been tutored in math she was sure she would do well. On her way to the library one evening, she disappears. Her disappearance takes a huge toll on the family, a family that breaks apart as many families in this type of situations often do.
A very suspenseful story, with an underlying sense of creepiness, and a novel way of telling a story. As a reader I pretty guessed what had happened to Ellie, in fact the sisters I was reading this with also had the same thoughts. This happened in the first third of the book but...there was still much to discover. The author kept my interest by some very good storytelling, and by the way it was structured. Changing tenses and changing narators the fast pace continued, new discoveries, and the insidious darkness beneath, kept me turning pages.
I have now read the last few books by this author and look forward to reading many more. To prove a point of mine, it is possible to write a good and suspenseful story without blood, excess gore and constant action. This is the kind of psychological thriller I actually enjoy.
ARC from Edelweiss.
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Now ten years later, Laurel is willing to take a shot at having a life and love again a series of events will send her reeling. Would she finally find out what happened to her daughter?A very suspenseful story, with an underlying sense of creepiness, and a novel way of telling a story. As a reader I pretty guessed what had happened to Ellie, in fact the sisters I was reading this with also had the same thoughts. This happened in the first third of the book but...there was still much to discover. The author kept my interest by some very good storytelling, and by the way it was structured. Changing tenses and changing narators the fast pace continued, new discoveries, and the insidious darkness beneath, kept me turning pages.
I have now read the last few books by this author and look forward to reading many more. To prove a point of mine, it is possible to write a good and suspenseful story without blood, excess gore and constant action. This is the kind of psychological thriller I actually enjoy.
ARC from Edelweiss.
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LibraryThing member smik
Ellie disappeared on her way to the library. No CCTV to help, house to house searches revealed nothing. The police thought she had run away, and eventually the discovery of her bag with some clothes seemed to confirm that. Four years after her disappearance someone burgled the house, as if Ellie
In the aftermath of Ellie's disappearance Laurel's marriage collapsed, her brother and sister left home, and Laurel's husband Paul found a new woman.
I did have some doubts about the credibility of parts of the plot but that did not prevent me from either enjoying or finishing the book.
Lisa Jewell really is an author that I read need to read more books by.
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had come back to retrieve some belongings.In the aftermath of Ellie's disappearance Laurel's marriage collapsed, her brother and sister left home, and Laurel's husband Paul found a new woman.
I did have some doubts about the credibility of parts of the plot but that did not prevent me from either enjoying or finishing the book.
Lisa Jewell really is an author that I read need to read more books by.
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LibraryThing member Twink
hen She Was Gone is Lisa Jewell's newest novel.
Laurel's fifteen year old Ellie Mack disappeared without a trace ten years ago. The loss of a daughter and sister has affected all members of the Mack family. When Laurel meets a man named Floyd and decides it's time to date again, she is stunned when
All kinds of roads that this story could go down, isn't there? Astute readers will suss out the most obvious one as the story plays out.
There are multiple points of view in Then She Was Gone. Laurel and Ellie, but also Floyd and another protagonist. The timeline goes from a past to present narrative as well. All of the characters are strongly depicted and the reader will have no problem making up their minds about them. I did find Laurel's decision making to be a bit iffy. But, without those bad choices, there wouldn't be a story!
The plotting of Then She Was Gone was a bit predictable. But, I was surprised by the way Jewell chose to end the book. I wasn't sure about it, but it's fitting.
Then She Was Gone is an entertaining, easy read, perfect for the beach bag this summer.
Laurel's fifteen year old Ellie Mack disappeared without a trace ten years ago. The loss of a daughter and sister has affected all members of the Mack family. When Laurel meets a man named Floyd and decides it's time to date again, she is stunned when
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she meets his young daughter. Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie.All kinds of roads that this story could go down, isn't there? Astute readers will suss out the most obvious one as the story plays out.
There are multiple points of view in Then She Was Gone. Laurel and Ellie, but also Floyd and another protagonist. The timeline goes from a past to present narrative as well. All of the characters are strongly depicted and the reader will have no problem making up their minds about them. I did find Laurel's decision making to be a bit iffy. But, without those bad choices, there wouldn't be a story!
The plotting of Then She Was Gone was a bit predictable. But, I was surprised by the way Jewell chose to end the book. I wasn't sure about it, but it's fitting.
Then She Was Gone is an entertaining, easy read, perfect for the beach bag this summer.
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LibraryThing member GirlWellRead
A special thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Laurel Mack's daughter has been missing for ten years. Ellie was the perfect daughter—beloved by her family, friends, teachers, and boyfriend. She was fifteen when she
Not only did Laurel lose her daughter, but her marriage did not survive. She also has strained relationships with her two other children. To stay close to her other daughter, Hannah, she cleans her flat, and she he barely sees her son, Jake, who lives with his girlfriend in another town.
To her surprise and delight, Laurel meets a charming man in a cafe. What starts out as flirtation quickly turns into something more meaningful. Floyd is a single father of two, and before she knows it, Laurel is being introduced to his daughters. When Laurel meets Poppy, his youngest, she is stunned. Poppy looks exactly like Ellie. All of the questions Laurel has pushed down for years come bubbling to the surface. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away? And why does this little girl resemble her missing daughter?
Told through multiple points of view, and alternating from past to present, Jewell pens some interesting and engaging characters with enough backstory to keep the reader vested and engaged. There is one minor plot flaw, but if you can suspend your disbelief, you may not be bothered.
With an incredible hook, this is Lisa Jewell's best book yet. Predictable? A little. Heartbreaking? Yes. Dark and twisty? Check and check! Although there was nothing new here, I would recommend this book for those looking for a page-turning, thrilling read.
Laurel Mack's daughter has been missing for ten years. Ellie was the perfect daughter—beloved by her family, friends, teachers, and boyfriend. She was fifteen when she
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disappeared, just days before school let out for summer. The case had gone cold, the police believed that Ellie ran away, that is until new evidence surfaces. Not only did Laurel lose her daughter, but her marriage did not survive. She also has strained relationships with her two other children. To stay close to her other daughter, Hannah, she cleans her flat, and she he barely sees her son, Jake, who lives with his girlfriend in another town.
To her surprise and delight, Laurel meets a charming man in a cafe. What starts out as flirtation quickly turns into something more meaningful. Floyd is a single father of two, and before she knows it, Laurel is being introduced to his daughters. When Laurel meets Poppy, his youngest, she is stunned. Poppy looks exactly like Ellie. All of the questions Laurel has pushed down for years come bubbling to the surface. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away? And why does this little girl resemble her missing daughter?
Told through multiple points of view, and alternating from past to present, Jewell pens some interesting and engaging characters with enough backstory to keep the reader vested and engaged. There is one minor plot flaw, but if you can suspend your disbelief, you may not be bothered.
With an incredible hook, this is Lisa Jewell's best book yet. Predictable? A little. Heartbreaking? Yes. Dark and twisty? Check and check! Although there was nothing new here, I would recommend this book for those looking for a page-turning, thrilling read.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
Ellie was practically the perfect child: smart, beautiful, loving, driven to succeed. And then, on one perfectly normal day, she disappears. Author Lisa Jewel has written a compelling tale of the family that was left behind, and of how they splintered from each other. Her mother, Laurel, is finally
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trying to put her life and her family’s back together after ten long years hope turned to grief. But the new man she meets seems almost too good to be true, and his young daughter reminds Laurel of Ellie. Carve out enough time to read this tale in one go, because once you start you won’t want to put it down. Engrossing characters in a masterfully well-written and intriguing story will capture your interest from the first page. Show Less
LibraryThing member Audriana0202
I honestly chose this book because I loved the cover. I didn't read what it was about before I started reading it either, and I was not disappointed! I was not able to put this book down!! I like the different person perspectives, the layout of the book itself, and all the weird twists the story
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takes. Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
This reads like one of the more messed up Law and Order episodes. It's really dark, really messed up, and only gets weirder. It's a little unrealistic at times, but that certainly didn't stop me from listening. I had to know what happened and how the mess was going to unfold. Ten years ago Ellie
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Mac went to walk to the library and was never seen again. No trace of her was ever found. Her mother Laurel, never quite knew how to pick the pieces and it resulted in a divorce and strained relationship with her two remaining children. On the decade anniversary she starts to get some closure and she meets a man who seems to good to be true. Just when Laurel thinks the past is finally buried, she discovers some shocking secrets. Dark, twisted, and perfect for those who like messed up thrillers. The audiobook is a treat as it is narrated SUPERBLY by a native UK speaker who can bounce back and forth between a British and Irish accent. Show Less
LibraryThing member SBoren
I purchased this book from @bookofthemonth to read with my bestie @mycornerforbooksand. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. Bizarre! Amazingly bizarre! 16 year old Ellie Mack goes missing one day on her way to study. After years and years of searching the
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closure that her family so desperately needed is anything but a normal missing person case. As the plots unfolded page after page I found it hard to set down. I needed to know more. I had to know why. Most of all I needed to know what happens now? This one has to be one of my favorites this year. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Go Read, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com Show Less
LibraryThing member Carol420
This is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys a top rate mystery with many, many twists and turns. About half way trough the story I thought "I have this sorted out...no problem." Then a few chapters later I'm changing my mind. After the third or fourth time I just enjoyed the
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story and was content to just be surprised. The pieces are doled out intentionally to keep the story flowing. It succeeds beautifully. Lisa Jewell brings the reader a bizarre mix of good guys, bad guys, and some that will break your heart...sometimes all in the same character. Show Less
LibraryThing member SilversReviews
A very odd set of characters awaits the reader in THEN SHE WAS GONE.
Two families are the main focus and somehow they become blended by a chance meeting.
Laurel’s family has been mourning their daughter Ellie’s death for ten years, and then her body is found. Meanwhile the family has fallen apart
The more time Laurel spends with Poppy, the more confused she becomes about her personality, her outlook on life, and how Laurel sees her dead daughter in Poppy.
Laurel finds clues that seem to connect Floyd and Poppy to Ellie.
THEN SHE WAS GONE had an undercurrent of doom and sinister things lurking. The sinister thing seemed to be the tie to all of the heartache the characters were experiencing both present and past.
THEN SHE WAS GONE kept my interest, but I can't say it was a thriller until the past was coming into the picture and the book went back in time to tell us the story of how Ellie went missing. It was more of a study of personalities and families as well as lies.
If you enjoy a turn-around, revealing ending with a few creepy characters, you will enjoy THEN SHE WAS GONE. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Two families are the main focus and somehow they become blended by a chance meeting.
Laurel’s family has been mourning their daughter Ellie’s death for ten years, and then her body is found. Meanwhile the family has fallen apart
Show More
- a divorce for Paul and Laurel and sort of an estrangement between their children. Floyd‘s family has a precocious daughter, Poppy, who looks like Ellie and a sister that is quite different.The more time Laurel spends with Poppy, the more confused she becomes about her personality, her outlook on life, and how Laurel sees her dead daughter in Poppy.
Laurel finds clues that seem to connect Floyd and Poppy to Ellie.
THEN SHE WAS GONE had an undercurrent of doom and sinister things lurking. The sinister thing seemed to be the tie to all of the heartache the characters were experiencing both present and past.
THEN SHE WAS GONE kept my interest, but I can't say it was a thriller until the past was coming into the picture and the book went back in time to tell us the story of how Ellie went missing. It was more of a study of personalities and families as well as lies.
If you enjoy a turn-around, revealing ending with a few creepy characters, you will enjoy THEN SHE WAS GONE. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Kathl33n
I am really a firm 2.5 stars on this one and, again with this author, I seem to be in the vast minority. I'm not sure what felt off for me. Now that I am finished I look back and think it was a really good book. But as I was reading I thought the entire premise just seemed a bit implausible and
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somewhat far-fetched. There just didn't seem to be enough background for the culprit's behavior and I was disappointed the MC wasn't allowed to figure things out using her own intuition and instead relied on "the vibes" of someone else. I have changed my rating from 2 to 3 stars several times but the thing that keeps me raising my rating is the writing. The author does an excellent job of creating very crisp characters who come very easily to life as you read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookappeal
This psychological domestic thriller drew me in with suspense built by actual plot development rather than an author's reliance on an unreliable narrator to keep readers in the dark. The main characters are all flawed - starting with the somewhat unsympathetic mother and the slightly spoiled
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victim. Laurel's actions are only skewed from "normal" by the fact that she's trying to move on with her life and put aside her usual paranoia and self-protectiveness. Though it employs some standard psychological thriller tropes, this story is fresh and uniquely bizarre. I probably should have taken off one star for the plot elements that I felt detracted from the story but, overall, this was a fast-paced and well-plotted thriller with a unsettling tone throughout. Show Less
LibraryThing member amyghilton
What a heartbreaking story, but written brilliantly. I listened to the audiobook, and the reader was excellent.
It's been 10 years since Laurel's daughter, Ellie, has disappeared. Laurel thinks she is coming to terms with the fact that she may never discover what happened to Ellie until she meets
It's been 10 years since Laurel's daughter, Ellie, has disappeared. Laurel thinks she is coming to terms with the fact that she may never discover what happened to Ellie until she meets
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Floyd. Seemingly by chance, they meet in a coffee shop, and as their relationship grows deeper, she meets his two daughters, one of who looks eerily similar to Ellie. Is it a coincidence or something more? Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2018
Physical description
448 p.; 5.08 inches
ISBN
1784756253 / 9781784756253
Similar in this library
DDC/MDS
| 823.914 |