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Available
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Publication
Atria Books (2021), Edition: Standard Edition, 384 pages
Description
"The author of the "rich, dark, and intricately twisted" (Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author) The Family Upstairs returns with another taut and white-knuckled thriller following a group of people whose lives shockingly intersect when a young woman disappears. Owen Pick's life is falling apart. In his thirties, a virgin, and living in his aunt's spare bedroom, he has just been suspended from his job as a geography teacher after accusations of sexual misconduct, which he strongly denies. Searching for professional advice online, he is inadvertently sucked into the dark world of incel-involuntary celibate-forums, where he meets the charismatic, mysterious, and sinister Bryn. Across the street from Owen lives the Fours family, headed by mom Cate, a physiotherapist, and dad Roan, a child psychologist. But the Fours family have a bad feeling about their neighbor Owen. He's a bit creepy and their teenaged daughter swears he followed her home from the train station one night. Meanwhile, young Saffyre Maddox spent three years as a patient of Roan Fours. Feeling abandoned when their therapy ends, she searches for other ways to maintain her connection with him, following him in the shadows and learning more than she wanted to know about Roan and his family. Then, on Valentine's night, Saffyre Maddox disappears-and the last person to see her alive is Owen Pick. With evocative, vivid, and unputdownable prose and plenty of disturbing twists and turns, Jewell's latest thriller is another "haunting, atmospheric, stay-up-way-too-late read" (Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author)"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
This review contains the smallest of spoilers.
This was a decent psychological thriller. Lots of twists and possible suspects. Is it Owen, Josh, Harrison, Roan or someone else? Is Sapphire dead? Enjoyed this as an audiobook. I didn’t enjoy the ending at all. Last 2% of the book was abruptly wrong
This was a decent psychological thriller. Lots of twists and possible suspects. Is it Owen, Josh, Harrison, Roan or someone else? Is Sapphire dead? Enjoyed this as an audiobook. I didn’t enjoy the ending at all. Last 2% of the book was abruptly wrong
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for me. I feel like knowing the character she’d have followed through and done something if she had suspicions. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
Invisible Girl is the latest novel from Lisa Jewell. Each of Jewell's book has been different - it's impossible to predict what you might find inside - other than a good read that is!
Owen is 30 and lives with his aunt. Owen is a bit, well, a bit different. The Fours family have just rented the
The idea of someone watching is not new, but it still gives me the creeps. And as the reader is privy to what Saffyre sees and does, we can see the danger coming before she disappears. You just want to tell her to stop and go home. The book also evolves through Cate and Owen's points of view. Jewell does a great job with her characters. They're all unlikeable and many made my skin crawl. Saffyre was the exception. Owen is socially awkward, but is that a crime? His looks also contribute to what people think of him. Whereas the Roan family present 'better' and are treated differently. Preconception and actions taken contribute to the shape the story takes. A nice bit of social commentary is woven into the book. Bullying also rears its ugly head in Jewell's plot.
Secrets and lies drive this book forward. Every character is hiding something. And with each new revelation, the direction I thought things were going to go changes. There are some nice twists in Invisible Girl. And I have to say, I love twists! Another addicting read from Jewell.
Owen is 30 and lives with his aunt. Owen is a bit, well, a bit different. The Fours family have just rented the
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house across the street from Owen. Dad Roan is a child psychologist, Mom Cate is a physiotherapist and their two kids are in school. Also on the street, but hidden is Saffyre. She's not sure why she does it, but Saffyre spends many, many hours following Roan and watching his family from the shadows. And then she disappears...and Owen Pick is the main suspect.The idea of someone watching is not new, but it still gives me the creeps. And as the reader is privy to what Saffyre sees and does, we can see the danger coming before she disappears. You just want to tell her to stop and go home. The book also evolves through Cate and Owen's points of view. Jewell does a great job with her characters. They're all unlikeable and many made my skin crawl. Saffyre was the exception. Owen is socially awkward, but is that a crime? His looks also contribute to what people think of him. Whereas the Roan family present 'better' and are treated differently. Preconception and actions taken contribute to the shape the story takes. A nice bit of social commentary is woven into the book. Bullying also rears its ugly head in Jewell's plot.
Secrets and lies drive this book forward. Every character is hiding something. And with each new revelation, the direction I thought things were going to go changes. There are some nice twists in Invisible Girl. And I have to say, I love twists! Another addicting read from Jewell.
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LibraryThing member jnmegan
Lisa Jewell has been on a bit of a roll lately with her compulsively readable thrillers, and her latest release, Invisible Girl, will undoubtedly appeal to her growing fan base. The action in this novel swirls around one pivotal Valentine’s evening in which a young woman disappears. Told from
Thanks to the author, Atria (Simon & Schuster) and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
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three different viewpoints, the reader is given perspectives from those connected to the events. Cate, matriarch of a family who is temporarily housed in the neighborhood, emerges as a central figure. It is through her thoughts that details are processed and theories begin to coalesce. She is unsure why her husband and son seem so closely tied to what is occurring in the neighborhood—and she even though she dreads what she might discover, she is compelled to investigate. A second voice is that of a young professor recently suspended for misconduct, and now accused of being responsible for the missing girl and other sexual assaults in the area. Bitter and resentful about his treatment by women and with a hazy recollection of his actions, he is a likely suspect. Owen’s awkwardness and alienation serve to bolster the case against him, and his imprudent actions only draw him deeper into suspicion. Saffyre is a first-person narrator, the missing teen whose recollections round out the story by providing background information and important clues about the converging connections between the characters in the novel. The author does a good job with pacing and the painstaking release of details, maintaining a consistent and steady build in tension. She does a particularly good job with the character of Owen, a man that manages to be both pitiful and pitiable. Jewell’s book addresses themes of accusation and assumption, of deceptive appearances and evil hiding in plain sight. Her female characters carry scars both literal and figurative from toxic interactions with men, whether intentional or not. Invisible Girl is a quick and engrossing read, a nice example of an author still hitting her stride.Thanks to the author, Atria (Simon & Schuster) and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
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LibraryThing member jillrhudy
Troubled teen Sapphyre Maddox goes missing in the thriller “Invisible Girl,” and there are a few possible suspects in her disappearance.
1. Her narcissistic therapist, a serial adulterer.
2. The creepy neighbor across the street who has been laid off work for sexual harassment and is flirting
3. One other suspect, who turns up later in the book.
“Invisible Girl” can be read in a single evening. I did not find this thriller to be thrilling, or even diverting. The plot switches focus among unengaging, unlikeable and downright crazy characters, including the therapist's wife and the kind-of-incel neighbor.
Jewell tries to make the novel relevant with cultural references to incels, toxic masculinity, and #metoo (when men are falsely accused). The novel reinforces rape myths, and the inclusion of feminist issues struck me as gratuitous. Any woman who has actually experienced stalking and abuse should avoid this novel.
When Jewell connects the dots of all the blah plotlines in this shallow book, there is no shocking twist. The solution to the mystery seems like a cop-out. The ending feels forced and far-fetched.
I received an advanced readers copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley and was encouraged to submit an honest review.
1. Her narcissistic therapist, a serial adulterer.
2. The creepy neighbor across the street who has been laid off work for sexual harassment and is flirting
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with online incel culture. 3. One other suspect, who turns up later in the book.
“Invisible Girl” can be read in a single evening. I did not find this thriller to be thrilling, or even diverting. The plot switches focus among unengaging, unlikeable and downright crazy characters, including the therapist's wife and the kind-of-incel neighbor.
Jewell tries to make the novel relevant with cultural references to incels, toxic masculinity, and #metoo (when men are falsely accused). The novel reinforces rape myths, and the inclusion of feminist issues struck me as gratuitous. Any woman who has actually experienced stalking and abuse should avoid this novel.
When Jewell connects the dots of all the blah plotlines in this shallow book, there is no shocking twist. The solution to the mystery seems like a cop-out. The ending feels forced and far-fetched.
I received an advanced readers copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley and was encouraged to submit an honest review.
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LibraryThing member tamidale
Lisa Jewell’s latest novel is a slow burn that is worth staying the course. I found it be be more of a mystery than a thriller and the writing kept me guessing up until the end.
One of the main characters is Owen Pick, a 30-something misfit who crosses paths with Saffyre, a teenage girl who later
Owen just happens to live across the street from Dr. Roan and his family. Dr. Roan is a child psychologist who has treated Saffyre in the past. When some assaults start happening in the area where they live, each one of these characters has some sort of connection to them.
I don’t want to write too much and give away any of the storyline. I didn’t feel this was much of a thriller, but I was invested in the mystery of it and the story held my interest. For sensitive readers, there is a bare minimum of violence.
Mystery readers will especially love the bit of twist Jewell adds to the ending. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
One of the main characters is Owen Pick, a 30-something misfit who crosses paths with Saffyre, a teenage girl who later
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turns up missing. Unfortunately for Owen, he is the prime suspect and even those closest to him think he is guilty.Owen just happens to live across the street from Dr. Roan and his family. Dr. Roan is a child psychologist who has treated Saffyre in the past. When some assaults start happening in the area where they live, each one of these characters has some sort of connection to them.
I don’t want to write too much and give away any of the storyline. I didn’t feel this was much of a thriller, but I was invested in the mystery of it and the story held my interest. For sensitive readers, there is a bare minimum of violence.
Mystery readers will especially love the bit of twist Jewell adds to the ending. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
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LibraryThing member fredreeca
Saffyre has been in psychotherapy for several years. When her therapy ends, she feels like there should have been more to it. She never did actually tell the therapist her trauma. So, Saffyre watches from afar, her therapist, Roan, and his family. She discovers many secrets and actually becomes a
Well, I will be honest. When I first started this read, I really thought it was going to be a DNF for me. But, the further I went along the more I became hooked. Now, this is not my favorite Jewell novel. It is way too slow of a start. But, Saffyre is a unique character which captures your heart. She is the reason I kept going. And I am very glad I did.
This story just keeps twisting around and you just keep guessing. But, toward the end…you realize one of your guesses is right! You must read this to find out! And the creepy neighbor, Owen. He is a weirdo!
Slow burn….but very much worth the effort! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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friend of Roan’s son. And things are not as they should be.Well, I will be honest. When I first started this read, I really thought it was going to be a DNF for me. But, the further I went along the more I became hooked. Now, this is not my favorite Jewell novel. It is way too slow of a start. But, Saffyre is a unique character which captures your heart. She is the reason I kept going. And I am very glad I did.
This story just keeps twisting around and you just keep guessing. But, toward the end…you realize one of your guesses is right! You must read this to find out! And the creepy neighbor, Owen. He is a weirdo!
Slow burn….but very much worth the effort! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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LibraryThing member brangwinn
How little we know about our neighbors and how easy it is to label them is the at the center of this novel. When Saffyre disappears, the most likely suspect is the weird guy who lives on the street where the action takes place. 17-year old Saffyre, who is the first-person narrator, is a loner. Her
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parents have died. She lives with her uncle, who has two jobs to make ends meet. She’s been in counseling with another character in the book, Roan, because of self-harming, but the sessions although helping didn’t get to the origin of her pain. There’s a lot of twists and turns as the story progresses. It’s a character driven mystery, involving the family of the counselor, Owen the weirdo across the street and a mystery person who has been attacking women. As the story moves from Saffyre’s first person point of view to Cate, the wife of Roan and mother of two teens to Owen’s point of view, much is revealed as the reader is presented with the clues needed, along with misdirection. I found the ending very satisfying, with vindication for the people who deserve it. Show Less
LibraryThing member tibobi
The Short of It:
There are a few side stories going on which normally distract me but they came together very nicely here.
The Rest of It:
The “Invisible Girl” in the title is not necessarily the main character of this novel which is interesting in and of itself. Saffyre Maddox is seeking
Owen Pick, is a neighbor across the street from Roan Fours. He lives with his aunt at the age of thirty and doesn’t know how to act around women. His awkwardness has caused numerous issues, including a workplace harassment case at the college he has been suspended from. His accidental interaction with Saffyre becomes a problem when she goes missing.
There are basically three main players in this story: Saffyre, Owen, and Roan. Other characters add to the complexity of what is going on, but don’t play major roles in what goes down. Jewell handles this quite well. I mean, no one seems “extra” just for the sake of being there. They all serve a purpose to propel the story forward in some way.
I’ve heard some say that there is a lot going on in this story. This is true but I felt that it was deftly navigated and had just the right pace for me to keep picking it up. Plus, Jewell is very good at characterization. I cared about these characters and wanted them to be okay, except for the ones who didn’t deserve it of course.
Overall, a solid read with a nicely wrapped up ending.
For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter.
There are a few side stories going on which normally distract me but they came together very nicely here.
The Rest of It:
The “Invisible Girl” in the title is not necessarily the main character of this novel which is interesting in and of itself. Saffyre Maddox is seeking
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treatment for self-harm. Her therapist, Roan Fours has been very good for her but after three years, he’s ready to cut her loose, feeling that she’s addressed her main reason for therapy. But Saffyre’s real reason is the abuse she suffered as a young child and she hasn’t even gotten to that part yet. Feeling abandoned, she becomes slightly obsessed with Roan and follows him around only to discover that he is hiding something from his family.Owen Pick, is a neighbor across the street from Roan Fours. He lives with his aunt at the age of thirty and doesn’t know how to act around women. His awkwardness has caused numerous issues, including a workplace harassment case at the college he has been suspended from. His accidental interaction with Saffyre becomes a problem when she goes missing.
There are basically three main players in this story: Saffyre, Owen, and Roan. Other characters add to the complexity of what is going on, but don’t play major roles in what goes down. Jewell handles this quite well. I mean, no one seems “extra” just for the sake of being there. They all serve a purpose to propel the story forward in some way.
I’ve heard some say that there is a lot going on in this story. This is true but I felt that it was deftly navigated and had just the right pace for me to keep picking it up. Plus, Jewell is very good at characterization. I cared about these characters and wanted them to be okay, except for the ones who didn’t deserve it of course.
Overall, a solid read with a nicely wrapped up ending.
For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
This twisty psychological thriller may have you wishing you had taken a different path. It’s a compelling tale, and though the subject is handled well, it may be hard for some to read about. Cate and Roan reside across the street from Owen. Roan is a child psychologist. Owen is a college teacher
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accused of derisive and inappropriate behavior towards his female students. He believes he has done nothing wrong, but acknowledges that his is not a happy, nor a normal, life. Saffyre is a older teenager who had been under the care of Roan who has decided that she is well enough to be discharged. But she never told him of the horrible thing that happened to her when she was ten. She is obsessed with Roan and his family. She spies on them, and then, in the midst of several sexual attacks on young women, she disappears. Flawed, damaged, and dispirited characters abound in this novel. It’s a well written and gripping tale, and though some characters have the hope of a happily ever after, don’t expect it to turn out well for all of them. Show Less
LibraryThing member fastforward
I have read most of Lisa Jewell's books, and this one is my new favorite. I was impressed at how there was some substance and depth to the story instead of it just being a typical thriller. I finished this book a few days ago and my mind keeps going back to it. I keep thinking about some of the
Cate is a physiotherapist and is married with two kids. Her husband, Roan, is a child psychologist. Saffyre Maddox was Roan's patient for a few years. Owen Pick is in his thirties, lives with his aunt, and is a teacher. The story will bounce back and forth between some of the characters. I'm a big fan of the author so I didn't find it necessary to read the publisher's synopsis before diving right into the story. I highly enjoyed my reading experience and I do recommend if you have loved the author's other books, to just go into the story blind like I did. I think it is more fun to be completely in the dark at the beginning and letting the story unfold naturally rather than having a heads up.
This was a quick read for me and I ended up finishing it in a day. I have mentioned in the past that while I enjoy the author's books, usually I can see which direction she is going in way before I get to the ending. She mixed things up a bit in this book and I was caught off guard a few times which was fun.
If you haven't read a book by this author before, this is a good place to start. If you have enjoyed her other books, I think this one will be a good read for you as well.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
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characters and I just have this urge to dissect everything I just read. For that reason, I think this book would be a great book club pick.Cate is a physiotherapist and is married with two kids. Her husband, Roan, is a child psychologist. Saffyre Maddox was Roan's patient for a few years. Owen Pick is in his thirties, lives with his aunt, and is a teacher. The story will bounce back and forth between some of the characters. I'm a big fan of the author so I didn't find it necessary to read the publisher's synopsis before diving right into the story. I highly enjoyed my reading experience and I do recommend if you have loved the author's other books, to just go into the story blind like I did. I think it is more fun to be completely in the dark at the beginning and letting the story unfold naturally rather than having a heads up.
This was a quick read for me and I ended up finishing it in a day. I have mentioned in the past that while I enjoy the author's books, usually I can see which direction she is going in way before I get to the ending. She mixed things up a bit in this book and I was caught off guard a few times which was fun.
If you haven't read a book by this author before, this is a good place to start. If you have enjoyed her other books, I think this one will be a good read for you as well.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
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LibraryThing member SquirrelHead
This book is labled as a psychyological/thriller drama involving a host of characters to which I only slighted warmed. Is it wrong to let a character name put you off? Let me just start with that - one of the main characters, or I should say a supporting character - named Roan Fours. Maybe it's
The main character is a 17 year old girl named Saffyre Maddox who went through some heavy trama early in her life. Roan Fours was the young woman's child psychologist when she was 10 years old, helping her get over self harming herself. Three years of sessions and he stopped therapy. We follow 17 year old Saffyre along as she sits outside the Fours household, watching the comings and goings of Roan, his needy haunted and suspicious wife Cate and their two children Georgia and Josh.
The abandoned lot Saffyre sets up camp is next to an apartment building where 34 year old virgin Owen Pick (yes, he is described this way in the book) lives with his aunt. He and Saffyre exchange greeeings some days but otherwise they do not intersect in each other's worlds. Owen is looked upon as the "creepy guy" at work and by the neighbors on the street.
There are random attacks on women in the area, grabbed from behind and groped, some raped. Thankfully there isn't vivid detail of the attacks, just suspicion thrown around. During all this Saffyre suddenly disappears. I she hiding or dead? You will wonder if it's creepy Owen or the son Josh or the misogynistic Harrison John who makes his appearance near the end of the book.
This was my least favorite of any book authored by Lisa Jewell and I had difficulty connecting to anyone. No empathy from me on any of them...ok, maybe Saffyre's uncle Aaron but he does not get a big part in the book.
Some food mentioned throughout and of course the curry grabbed my attention.
Much thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary ARC copy of this book. I was not compensated for the review. Just because I wasn't thrilled with this book does not mean I wouldn't read more by Lisa Jewell.
The Family Upstairs was good and I enjoyed The House We Grew Up In as well as I Found You but...this one wasn't for me.
This book is scheduled for publication October 2020.
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just me but Roan Fours sounds like a game or an intersection. He was not a likeable or sympathic character.The main character is a 17 year old girl named Saffyre Maddox who went through some heavy trama early in her life. Roan Fours was the young woman's child psychologist when she was 10 years old, helping her get over self harming herself. Three years of sessions and he stopped therapy. We follow 17 year old Saffyre along as she sits outside the Fours household, watching the comings and goings of Roan, his needy haunted and suspicious wife Cate and their two children Georgia and Josh.
The abandoned lot Saffyre sets up camp is next to an apartment building where 34 year old virgin Owen Pick (yes, he is described this way in the book) lives with his aunt. He and Saffyre exchange greeeings some days but otherwise they do not intersect in each other's worlds. Owen is looked upon as the "creepy guy" at work and by the neighbors on the street.
There are random attacks on women in the area, grabbed from behind and groped, some raped. Thankfully there isn't vivid detail of the attacks, just suspicion thrown around. During all this Saffyre suddenly disappears. I she hiding or dead? You will wonder if it's creepy Owen or the son Josh or the misogynistic Harrison John who makes his appearance near the end of the book.
This was my least favorite of any book authored by Lisa Jewell and I had difficulty connecting to anyone. No empathy from me on any of them...ok, maybe Saffyre's uncle Aaron but he does not get a big part in the book.
Some food mentioned throughout and of course the curry grabbed my attention.
Much thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary ARC copy of this book. I was not compensated for the review. Just because I wasn't thrilled with this book does not mean I wouldn't read more by Lisa Jewell.
The Family Upstairs was good and I enjoyed The House We Grew Up In as well as I Found You but...this one wasn't for me.
This book is scheduled for publication October 2020.
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LibraryThing member pegmcdaniel
This is a dark, tense, domestic psychological thriller. It's told from three POV's:
(1) Cate is the wife of Roan, a child psychologist. They have two teen-age children and are renting a house across the street from Owen. They seem like a happy family, but there are problems.
(2) Owen is a teacher has
(3) Saffyre is a troubled 17-year-old who suffers mentally from an incident when she was 10. She's an orphan who is being raised by a caring uncle. She self-harms and had been treated by Roan for three years without being helped.
There are reports in Cate and Owen's neighborhood that young women have been attacked. When Saffyre disappears, everyone suspects Owen because he acts so weird. Twists and turns abound with these mostly unlikable characters who all have secrets.
This novel is well-plotted and the author did a nice job of weaving all the sub-plots together. Even though I didn't like the characters, they were well-developed. I felt the novel was repetitive at times and a bit too long.
(1) Cate is the wife of Roan, a child psychologist. They have two teen-age children and are renting a house across the street from Owen. They seem like a happy family, but there are problems.
(2) Owen is a teacher has
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been fired from his job after some teen-age girls accuse him of misbehavior at a school function. Owen is in his 30's, a loner, creepy, invisible to society, and an incel (involuntary celibate). I had no knowledge of incels before reading this novel.(3) Saffyre is a troubled 17-year-old who suffers mentally from an incident when she was 10. She's an orphan who is being raised by a caring uncle. She self-harms and had been treated by Roan for three years without being helped.
There are reports in Cate and Owen's neighborhood that young women have been attacked. When Saffyre disappears, everyone suspects Owen because he acts so weird. Twists and turns abound with these mostly unlikable characters who all have secrets.
This novel is well-plotted and the author did a nice job of weaving all the sub-plots together. Even though I didn't like the characters, they were well-developed. I felt the novel was repetitive at times and a bit too long.
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LibraryThing member Carol420
This was a hard one for me to even finish. I really didn't think the story was as grabbing as some of her other books. I became disillusioned with all of the characters after the first 3 chapters and just could never give the much thought throughout the remainder. It was like watching an accident
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going somewhere to happen. I know this author has and can do much better so will wait for the next one Show Less
LibraryThing member Vanessa_Menezes
Thank You to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC!!
When Saffyre Maddox was ten something terrible happened and she's carried the pain of it around with her ever since. Roan Fours, her therapist, who she thought was going to heal her didn't,and now she follows him like an
Owen Pick is invisible too. He's thirty-three years old and he's never had a girlfriend, he's never even had a friend.
But when Saffyre Maddox disappears from opposite his house on Valentine's night, and cases of women being sexually assaulted in the area arise, suddenly the whole world is looking at him. Accusing him and holding him responsible because he seems like the perfect type.
But then the questions arise... Is he really responsible? or is he just misunderstood? If he is innocent who is the culprit? And where is Saffyre?
This a very well written book which draws you in right from the first page with enough twists and secrets to keep you hooked on right till the end. And just at the very end you receive that final twist in the tale that's absolutely mind blowing!
I truly loved this book. It focuses the social injustice on how sometimes we just judge a person by his looks and then make an assumption which might not necessary be true.
Overall a fantastic psychological mystery which packs a punch. Highly recommended!!!
When Saffyre Maddox was ten something terrible happened and she's carried the pain of it around with her ever since. Roan Fours, her therapist, who she thought was going to heal her didn't,and now she follows him like an
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invisible girl, learning his secrets.Owen Pick is invisible too. He's thirty-three years old and he's never had a girlfriend, he's never even had a friend.
But when Saffyre Maddox disappears from opposite his house on Valentine's night, and cases of women being sexually assaulted in the area arise, suddenly the whole world is looking at him. Accusing him and holding him responsible because he seems like the perfect type.
But then the questions arise... Is he really responsible? or is he just misunderstood? If he is innocent who is the culprit? And where is Saffyre?
This a very well written book which draws you in right from the first page with enough twists and secrets to keep you hooked on right till the end. And just at the very end you receive that final twist in the tale that's absolutely mind blowing!
I truly loved this book. It focuses the social injustice on how sometimes we just judge a person by his looks and then make an assumption which might not necessary be true.
Overall a fantastic psychological mystery which packs a punch. Highly recommended!!!
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LibraryThing member nyiper
I had to laugh when Jewell explained that she basically wants NO interference when she writes a book---it's ALL her efforts ---Me, Myself and I---but she is so successful in her method! So many interesting characters in this book and the story subject matter itself is so much a part of our current
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lives---it keeps coming back to knock us in our heads---sadly!!! Show Less
LibraryThing member KatherineGregg
I've listened to several Lisa Jewell audiobooks while walking which I really enjoy. The storyline twists and turns and the characters are multidimensional. Invisible Girl features a teenager named Sapphire who goes missing. Owen Pick, a quiet man in his 30s who has just been let go from his job due
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to inappropriate sexual misconduct, is accused of having something to do with the missing girl. Show Less
LibraryThing member jfe16
The Fours family . . . child psychologist Roan, physiotherapist Cate, daughter Georgia, and son Josh . . . are temporarily settled in Hampstead while their land subsidence-damaged home in Kilburn is being repaired. They tend to avoid their across-the-street neighbor whom they find to be slightly
Meanwhile, allegations of sexual misconduct with students get Owen Pick suspended from his private school geography teacher position. Owen, naturally, vehemently denies the accusations but there are blanks in his memory . . . .
At the same time, Saffyre Maddox, who spent three years as one of Roan’s patients, feels abandoned when her therapy sessions come to an end and tries to remain connected to Roan by stealthily following him . . . allowing her to learn much more about the man than she’d ever wanted to know.
And then, amid a series of sexual attacks on women in the area, Saffyre vanishes.
Divided into three sections . . . Before, After, Now . . . and told alternately by Saffyre, Cate, and Owen, this narrative reveals family secrets as it focuses on behaviors related to prejudice and relationships. The characters are well-defined, but many are unlikable and/or repulsive. The story is dark; the tension palpable. Readers may not agree with all of the choices made by the characters, but they are in keeping with the parameters of the unfolding story that is less “thriller” and more “mystery.”
Surprising revelations take the narrative in unexpected directions, but with themes relating to domestic relationships, stalking, and abuse, the primary focus of the story is the mystery of what actually happened to Saffyre. With so many of the characters in essentially the same place, any of them could be the person responsible for the young woman’s disappearance.
Astute readers are sure to identify the true culprit before the reveal late in the telling of the tale, but the denouement is sure to satisfy.
Recommended.
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creepy.Meanwhile, allegations of sexual misconduct with students get Owen Pick suspended from his private school geography teacher position. Owen, naturally, vehemently denies the accusations but there are blanks in his memory . . . .
At the same time, Saffyre Maddox, who spent three years as one of Roan’s patients, feels abandoned when her therapy sessions come to an end and tries to remain connected to Roan by stealthily following him . . . allowing her to learn much more about the man than she’d ever wanted to know.
And then, amid a series of sexual attacks on women in the area, Saffyre vanishes.
Divided into three sections . . . Before, After, Now . . . and told alternately by Saffyre, Cate, and Owen, this narrative reveals family secrets as it focuses on behaviors related to prejudice and relationships. The characters are well-defined, but many are unlikable and/or repulsive. The story is dark; the tension palpable. Readers may not agree with all of the choices made by the characters, but they are in keeping with the parameters of the unfolding story that is less “thriller” and more “mystery.”
Surprising revelations take the narrative in unexpected directions, but with themes relating to domestic relationships, stalking, and abuse, the primary focus of the story is the mystery of what actually happened to Saffyre. With so many of the characters in essentially the same place, any of them could be the person responsible for the young woman’s disappearance.
Astute readers are sure to identify the true culprit before the reveal late in the telling of the tale, but the denouement is sure to satisfy.
Recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member techeditor
INVISIBLE GIRL is another winner by Lisa Jewell. This one, though, is a little less so than the others.
Owen is in his 30s, lives with his aunt, and appears to most people to be a "creepy” guy. As a result, he ends up in jail for a crime he didn’t commit.
Saffyre is a teenager who has gone
Roan is a child psychologist. I won’t say much more about him so you can anticipate the rest. Except that he was Saffyre's psychologist for years.
Joshua is Roan’s son. He and Saffyre eventually become friends. While his part in the story at first seems minor, he ends up being my favorite character.
These characters and a couple others who play supporting roles each are given separate chapters in which we see things their way. But here’s the problem: the timeline is confusing.
Jewel makes it clear that first there was an incident, then PART ONE is before the incident and PART TWO is after the incident. But Saffyre's chapters confuse the before and after.
You need to realize that, although everyone, including Saffyre, is in the before in PART ONE, Saffyre's chapters are before everyone else's before. Jewell does not make this clear. She just sticks Saffyre's chapters in with everyone else's. Then in PART TWO, when everyone else is in the after, Saffyre is still in the before. Finally, in PART THREE, all really are in the timeline Jewell says they're in.
If only Jewell would fix this issue, maybe with a little rewrite or reorganization or even by just relabeling the parts, INVISIBLE GIRL could be a five-star book.
Owen is in his 30s, lives with his aunt, and appears to most people to be a "creepy” guy. As a result, he ends up in jail for a crime he didn’t commit.
Saffyre is a teenager who has gone
Show More
missing. It seems that the last anyone saw her was Valentine’s Day night. Owen becomes a suspect in this case.Roan is a child psychologist. I won’t say much more about him so you can anticipate the rest. Except that he was Saffyre's psychologist for years.
Joshua is Roan’s son. He and Saffyre eventually become friends. While his part in the story at first seems minor, he ends up being my favorite character.
These characters and a couple others who play supporting roles each are given separate chapters in which we see things their way. But here’s the problem: the timeline is confusing.
Jewel makes it clear that first there was an incident, then PART ONE is before the incident and PART TWO is after the incident. But Saffyre's chapters confuse the before and after.
You need to realize that, although everyone, including Saffyre, is in the before in PART ONE, Saffyre's chapters are before everyone else's before. Jewell does not make this clear. She just sticks Saffyre's chapters in with everyone else's. Then in PART TWO, when everyone else is in the after, Saffyre is still in the before. Finally, in PART THREE, all really are in the timeline Jewell says they're in.
If only Jewell would fix this issue, maybe with a little rewrite or reorganization or even by just relabeling the parts, INVISIBLE GIRL could be a five-star book.
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LibraryThing member GeauxGetLit
Told from multiple POVs, it’s a multi-weaved story about a family...Psychologist Dad, Stay at Home Mom and two teenage kids. A 33 virgin man that lived across the street from them and a high school student who was treated for self harming by the Psychologist dad.
There have been multiple reports
What happened to her and who is causing all these assaults??
Another Lisa Jewell great thriller that kept me guessing until the end!! I love when I can’t figure it out! I would give it 4 1/2 stars only because one of the twists was slightly unbelievable.
There have been multiple reports
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of sexual assaults in the area and now a teenage girl, who was treated by the Dad, has been reported missing!What happened to her and who is causing all these assaults??
Another Lisa Jewell great thriller that kept me guessing until the end!! I love when I can’t figure it out! I would give it 4 1/2 stars only because one of the twists was slightly unbelievable.
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LibraryThing member gpangel
Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell is a 2020 Atria publication.
Clever and suspenseful!
Three first person voices narrate this enthralling story which examines the various devices humans employ to hide their innermost secrets, darkest pain, obsessions, or deepest character flaws, from society, from family
Saffyre Maddox, in treatment for self-harm, is released by her therapist, Roan Fours, before she’s ready. This leads her to stalk him and spy on his family.
Meanwhile, Cate Fours, Roan’s wife, acquired an uneasy feeling about her neighbor, Owen Pick, after several sexual assaults were reported in the area, and her daughter thinks Owen may have been following her home one night, with dark intentions.
Owen, a virgin, living with his aunt, has been let go from his job after being reported for sexual impropriety with his female students. He finds a sympathetic ear after joining an online chat group of ‘incels’.
When Saffyre disappears, key evidence leads investigators to Owen, who then becomes an obvious person of interest...
This is another winner for Lisa Jewell!! The story held my rapt attention from start to finish! The exploration of the darker corners of the internet was chilling. Although, the atmosphere was not as heavy as Jewell’s previous novels, I thought the story was extremely creepy!
I was a tiny bit concerned about the ending after reading a few editorial reviews for this book. I must disagree with the critics in this case.
Okay, sure, in a perfect world, it would end differently- but that’s what made Jewell’s decision so provocative. I thought it was fitting to leave the reader feeling unsettled.
As to the suggestion the conclusion may be weak-as seasoned crime reader- I guess I must be losing my touch, because I closed the book with a definite shiver running down my spine!!
Fans of domestic and psychological thrillers will enjoy this one!
4.5 stars
Clever and suspenseful!
Three first person voices narrate this enthralling story which examines the various devices humans employ to hide their innermost secrets, darkest pain, obsessions, or deepest character flaws, from society, from family
Show More
and friends, and maybe even from themselves.Saffyre Maddox, in treatment for self-harm, is released by her therapist, Roan Fours, before she’s ready. This leads her to stalk him and spy on his family.
Meanwhile, Cate Fours, Roan’s wife, acquired an uneasy feeling about her neighbor, Owen Pick, after several sexual assaults were reported in the area, and her daughter thinks Owen may have been following her home one night, with dark intentions.
Owen, a virgin, living with his aunt, has been let go from his job after being reported for sexual impropriety with his female students. He finds a sympathetic ear after joining an online chat group of ‘incels’.
When Saffyre disappears, key evidence leads investigators to Owen, who then becomes an obvious person of interest...
This is another winner for Lisa Jewell!! The story held my rapt attention from start to finish! The exploration of the darker corners of the internet was chilling. Although, the atmosphere was not as heavy as Jewell’s previous novels, I thought the story was extremely creepy!
I was a tiny bit concerned about the ending after reading a few editorial reviews for this book. I must disagree with the critics in this case.
Okay, sure, in a perfect world, it would end differently- but that’s what made Jewell’s decision so provocative. I thought it was fitting to leave the reader feeling unsettled.
As to the suggestion the conclusion may be weak-as seasoned crime reader- I guess I must be losing my touch, because I closed the book with a definite shiver running down my spine!!
Fans of domestic and psychological thrillers will enjoy this one!
4.5 stars
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LibraryThing member Jacsun
The book revolves around a 17 year old girl, Saffyre Maddox, that has been in therapy for years - haunting by her past. She lives with her Uncle Aaron who tries to save her and then finds her missing. The reader sympathizes with a teacher, Owen Pick, in the neighborhood that gets arrested for being
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a suspect of killing this young girl. It's not difficult for the reader to figure out the plot. While this book had some suspense, I enjoyed the author's other book, "The Family Upstairs" much more. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
384 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
1982137347 / 9781982137342