Then She Was Gone is recommended to thriller rather than mystery readers. Mothers especially will relate to this moving family story.

Fifteen-year-old Ellie Mack disappears one day. Did she run away or was she kidnapped? Her disappearance tears apart her family. Laurel, Ellie’s mom, has two older children and a husband but she is obsessed with finding Ellie. Ten years later, Laurel finally meets a man, Floyd, almost as nice as her ex-husband. Floyd has two daughters. The younger daughter, Poppy, bears an uncanny resemblance to Ellie. Poppy’s mother left Poppy with Floyd one day and was never seen again. When Laurel discovers the identity of Poppy’s mother, the plot really takes off.

While this was a thriller, it was not successful as a mystery. Almost from the beginning, it was obvious what was going to happen next. The format of alternating narrators and time periods was used well. Most of the characters were interesting, if not very likeable or relatable. Some of their actions seemed contrived. However, the gripping plot still resonates long after finishing Then She Was Gone. Even though I guessed the plot twists, I was still compelled to finish the book as quickly as possible. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thanks to the publisher, Atria, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Then She Was Gone offered what people who love suspense thrillers want in a book. There was just enough information on the "whodunnit" front to keep you going, but there were still twists to keep the story from being unpredictable. The characters were well developed and believable.

I’ve been looking forward to Ms. Jewell’s Then She Was Gone since I finished the last page of her stellar I Found You. It did not disappoint. A tale of a missing girl, a mother’s shattered life and the gradual rebuilding of a family, this twisting, turning mystery will have you reading into the wee hours of the morning.

Mothers shouldn’t have favorites, but Laurel did. Ellie, her tumultuous teenage daughter, who lacked the surliness of her sister and the indifference of her brother was Laurel’s golden girl. At fifteen, Ellie was dating the best-looking boy in her school and getting top marks in all her classes. When she disappeared, the police spoke of runaways, but Laurel has never really believed that. Why would someone who had everything leave it all behind?

Ten years after Ellie’s disappearance, a divorced Laurel is living half a life. She works three days a week at something she doesn’t find very important. She’s moved to a dull, undecorated flat where she does little more than run the hoover once a week to maintain it. She cleans her daughter Hannah’s apartment weekly, speaks to her even less often than that. She doesn’t speak to her son and hasn’t met his partner. She makes cursory visits to her mom at the hospice, but Laurel’s life is grey and dull and pointless. It reflects perfectly how she feels.

Then she gets the phone call.

Ellie’s rucksack has been found. A few days later there is a second call: Ellie’s remains have been found. There is a funeral and Laurel feels as though by burying Ellie she has been given a second chance at her own life. She gets her hair done. She meets a charming man and lets him take her to dinner. She takes steps to reconnect with Hannah. She apologizes to her ex for refusing to live the last ten years, and for hating him for being able to. She plans a big family birthday bash to reconnect them all. Laurel is finally, finally recovering. Until she meets her new man’s nine-year old daughter. A girl who looks surprisingly like Ellie. Who uses some of the same quirky figures of speech Ellie did. Who has her daughter’s shine and spirit. Laurel thought she had left the dark times behind her, but has she unwittingly invited them back through her door?

Sometimes I finish a book and just think, ‘Wow!’ This was one of those times. While the story got off to a slightly quiet (yet intriguing) start, by midway through the book I just couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t wait to finally figure out what had happened to Ellie and what the heck was going on now.

The author does an excellent job of getting the reader invested in the characters. I was especially impressed with Laurel. She could have been a woman easy to judge; she had, after all, discarded her living family in favor of her missing daughter. Yet we see how sorry Laurel is for the years she let her grief control her, and we also see how very damaged she is because of what she endured. We admire her tenacity, her unwillingness to let go and we dream of having a champion like that in our own lives. Laurel is nuanced and relatable.

The crime centers on one of my favorite themes: simple decisions which shouldn’t be wrong but turn out to be. While the villain is villainous, they are not a super villain or complete freak who defies the standards of humanity. A person gone awry, a few choices that aren’t mistakes but that turn out to be calamitous – that is all it takes for a child to disappear. This tragedy could happen to anyone, which makes it more frightening than supervillainy.

Ms. Jewell is an experienced writer and her prose, plotting and characterization are all superb.

Then She Was Gone is a near perfect novel of suspense. My one quibble is a slightly saccharine ending but that certainly didn’t take anything away from the pleasure of reading this book. I would highly recommend it to fans of the suspense/mystery genre.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a mystery/thriller.

3.5 stars

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Atria Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Synopsis:
It’s been ten years since Ellie Mack disappeared at the age of 15. Her mother, Laurel, has not really moved on with her life. Her marriage ended, and her relationship with her remaining son and daughter is rather strained. Ellie had been her golden girl. When the bones of her daughter are found, her ex-husband hopes she may finally be able to let go. Perhaps. When Laurel meets Floyd, it feels like she has known him all her life. He sweeps her off her feet. When she meets his 9-year old daughter Poppy, Laurel is literally floored. She reminds her so much of Ellie, she can hardly contain herself.

As Laurel gets more involved with Floyd, Poppy, and his other daughter SJ, she also starts reaching out to her own family. Things are looking good. But there is something lurking in the background that doesn’t feel quite right. Laurel starts questioning both Floyd and Poppy about her birth mother, and realizes she may have known this woman herself.


My Opinions:
The story is told in multiple time-lines with multiple points of view, and yet Lisa Jewell managed to keep things moving perfectly, with no confusion. She is a very talented writer. Although the ending was fairly predictable, the story kept you interested, but I was still hoping for a bigger twist at the end. However, it was rather unsettling and disturbing all the way through, so the suspense factor was good.

It was definitely worth the read!

I read a Lisa Jewell novel last year and connected immediately with her writing style, tone, and voice. When Then She Was Gone showed up on NetGalley last month, I immediately requested it and added it to my reading queue for April. I really find myself enamored with Jewell's characters, plots, and settings, so much that I've added ten of her other books to my TBR and hope to read a few more later this year.

Domestic drama is the best sub-genre to describe this book. A 15-year-old girl goes missing, resulting in her family falling apart. Ten years later, her mother finds new love (divorced her ex-husband though they still remain friends) and slowly learns of connections to her missing child who was feared dead. The description in the Goodreads or Amazon summary says it all, so I don't need to add to it here. The book alternates between "Then" and "Now" to tell the story of what happened to Ellie, who kidnapped and hurt her, what the new love interest for Ellie's mother, Laurel, has to say transpired over all the years, and where things really fell apart.

This book read itself. I intended to spend 90 minutes reading on a weekend afternoon to have a relaxing break from some outside chores. Three (3) hours later, I'd finished it. The book was so good that I lost track of time and read so quickly, everything just disappeared, but I was absolutely connected and attached to every part of the story and characters. Jewell clearly knows how to lead readers on a path where investment is deep and shock is wide. I'm sure a few readers will sideways glance at a couple of plot twists, and I can understand it. You have to suspend a tiny bit of your disbelief or questions as to how the kidnapping was truly pulled off. But it's fiction and it's part of a story and that's why it worked -- the writing supports it and carries you off into a world you cannot leave.

I normally figure out what's really going on. But Jewell uses some clever disguises regarding timing that make it complicated, and when you do figure it out about 2/3 of the way thru, you have to stop for a few minutes and think about all the repercussions, Then, it all adds up. How did I miss it??? But for me, that's what makes an incredibly gifted writer. One who transports you into the story that you forget to try to solve it because you're just so stunned by its beauty. I can't wait to pick up another Jewell book this summer. So many to choose from! But this one gets at least 4.5 stars.

4.25 Stars (rounded down)

Spellbinding and Completely Irresistible.

Ellie Mack went missing 10 years ago. Her mother, Laurel has never given up hope of finding her. Ellie was fifteen years old, full of life. The world was, in fact, her oyster. No one knew what happened to Ellie. The police have never found a trace of her. My interest was piqued from the very beginning. My breath caught in my throat - nerves jangled.

Now, Laurel Mack’s life is very different: her marriage fell apart years ago and her relationship with her remaining children is tenuous. Somehow, she meets Floyd - a devastatingly handsome man and she is immediately swept off her feet. Then Laurel is introduced to his little girl: Poppy, and she is dumbfounded to discover that Poppy bears a striking resemblance to Ellie, her Ellie. Of course, this isn’t possible - it’s a coincidence, right? And if it’s not, what ever does it mean? Laurel begins questioning everything and those questions take her on a dangerous path, one she never envisioned.

Can you feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up? Mine did. What unfolds thereafter is brilliant, stunning and packs one heck of an emotional punch. Lisa Jewell’s “Then She Was Gone” is a phenomenal psychological thriller that kept me enthralled throughout. Though I knew where it was going early on, I still truly enjoyed it and simply could not put it down! The character development was stellar and the writing was spot on. This is the second Lisa Jewell novel I’ve read (I Found You, being the first) and I can’t wait to read more of Ms. Jewell’s novels.

This was a Traveling Sister Read, which we all really liked. For full Traveling Sister Group reviews, please see Brenda and Norma’s blog: https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com

Thank you to NetGalley, Ariele Friedman, Atria Books and Lisa Jewell for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads and Twitter on 4.15.18.
*Will be published on Amazon on 4.17.18.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and Lisa Jewell for the opportunity to read and review her latest book - SO good! I have read and enjoyed Jewell's past books but this one is the top of the heap!

It's been 10 years since Ellie, a 15-year-old girl who was the bright spot in her family, disappeared. The police feared she was a runaway but her parents held fast that she wouldn't. Or would she? Ellie's disappearance of course affected her whole family and they've all gone different directions trying to cope and move on. Mom Laurel meets a new man one day and finds herself feeling hopeful and excited about this new relationship. When she meets his girls, she is shocked to find the youngest, Poppy, looks just like Ellie.

You will probably figure out the mystery but it won't take one thing away from the magic of this book. It literally draws you in until the final page. Highly recommended - a great read!

then she was gone is a darker book than i usually like to read. sometimes i try to branch out from romance and happy endings. and sometimes i enjoy a good thriller. but maybe it's because i'm a mom. but missing kids. dead kids aren't really something i enjoy reading about. this book is like gone girl meets the lovely bones, and if you like those books you will probably like this.

it's just not the right book for me. some of the twists in this book i technically figured out from the description, and i didn't love how telegraphed certain things were. in the end, there's a reason i stay in my comfort zone. i'm not into being disturbed by the books i read, even if i'm drawn to them by the pretty covers.

**then she was gone will publish on april 17, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/atria books in exchange for my honest review.

LL THAT MATTERS NOW IS FOR LAUREL TO MASSAGE THE ESSENCE OUT OF THE HUGE KNOT OF NEW INFORMATION THAT IS CURRENTLY BLOCKING UP HER MIND. IT’S ALL TANGLED TOGETHER AND SHE’S SURE IT ALL MEANS SOMETHING BUT IT’S SO UNLIKELY AND SO BIZARRE THAT SHE CANNOT FIND THE PLACE TO START.


Fifteen-year-old Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers. She and her boyfriend made a teenage golden couple. She was days away from an idyllic 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 10 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, she is surprised at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she’s meeting Floyd’s daughters – and his youngest, Poppy, takes her breath away. Looking at her is like looking at Ellie. And now the unanswered questions she has tried so hard to put to rest haunt her anew…as well as some new ones about Floyd and Poppy….


My review could consist of …. This. Book. Was. Amazing. And that would be enough! But let me give it a little more love because it so deserves it! This book is one of those amazing finds that you can read while a freight train roars past you going 200 mph and you wouldn’t notice.
It’s not like the storyline itself has never been written: mom suffers loss of child, disappearance is a mystery yadda yadda… HOWEVER…. Lisa Jewell manages to intertwine so many unexpected plot twists and shocking character developments that the story morphs into one damn fine original & amazing story that has quickly risen to one of our top favs!
You know a story will stay with you long after the last page is turned when you finish it in one day and stay up until the wee hours of the morning because you can’t put it down! We are so excited to read more from Lisa Jewell!

A fairly good read. It gets off to a strong start but that doesn't last long. There were a few times that I almost gave up on this book. The twists, near the end, are what saves it from being a total loss. Each twist was shocking and out of left field, never saw it coming.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a gem of a read (sorry, couldn't resist such a pun!). This is one of those books that you'll be thinking about when you have to be at work all day and wishing you could be home reading. Laurel's daughter, Ellie, disappeared 10 years ago when she was 15. Laurel is finally moving forward in her life. She's dating for the first time since her divorce and she's trying to forge stronger relationships with her 2 remaining children. However, she is soon enveloped back into the mystery of Ellie's disappearance and her life begins to unravel yet again. Lots of twists and turns to keep you riveted. Read and enjoy!

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a psychological thriller that weaves a deliciously tangled web from the opening pages until the very end. The story is told in parts and changes the point of view between various characters along the way going between the past and the present day.

Laurel Mack had the perfect family with her husband and three beautiful children until one day when her youngest daughter Ellie didn’t come home. An overachiever Ellie was not the type of daughter to run away but that is exactly what the police concluded after months of searching for the teen.

Ten years later Laurel’s marriage had fallen apart as she took Ellie’s disappearance pretty hard and pushed the rest of her family away. When meeting a new man Ellie still isn’t sure about getting back out there but with the two both sharing a loss in their lives Laurel decides to take a chance.

For me there is nothing more compelling than the story of a missing child and Lisa Jewell has taken that and turned it into so much more. For me this was almost a perfect read with the exception of part two which seemed to drag a bit but even then I still wanted to know how it would all turn out. Never would I have imagined where this one would go as the twists and turns were found all throughout the book. When finished I’d definitely recommend this one to all the thriller fans out there.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Well that was one humdinger of a story! I read this in just over a day, once hitting the half way mark I knew someone else had to cook supper last night.

I was draw right in here, it's every parents worst nightmare - that of losing a child. When there is no closure just existing as time speeds by wondering, hoping for a miracle. With this story alternating in points of view gave me different perspectives, getting to know the characters better. The characters are flawed and believable, the story was engrossing and kept me flipping the screen. The chapters weren't overly long, hence just one more chapter and before I knew I was too absorbed to slow down.

Then She Was Gone is more than a story of Ellie's disappearance, it's about mental health, insecurity and forgiveness. Written with feeling I couldn't help but feel Laurel's pain and heartache. The author's writing style is one I enjoyed, as the plot flowed and the voices changed it was done smoothly not disrupting the energy of the story.

Lisa Jewell is not a new author to me, I enjoyed I Found You and look forward to searching out more of her books.

This was a very dark novel with some twists and turns. Early in the book I could see where the story was going. I felt that the story was a little over the top.

This is a far cry from the books that Lisa Jewell used to write. This is an engrossing psychological thriller that will have you racing through to find out what happened to Ellie Mack. Readers will be reading at lightning speed to read about a grieving mom starting a new relationship that catapults them into the dark thrill ride this book is.

I don’t even know where to begin. Perhaps I’ll just get the technical stuff out of the way, yes?

Ellie Mack is the brilliant, beautiful, and beloved daughter of Laurel Mack. One day, Ellie goes missing, turning Laurel’s world upside down. However, a chance encounter with a new love (Floyd), on the way to a potentially new life, brings Poppy (the nine-year old wonder) into her orbit. Poppy is the daughter of Floyd and she is uncannily like Ellie.

The madness, as you can imagine, unfolds from there ...and it’s a crazy ass race to the finish.

I don’t know who I despised the most in this book—Laurel (for her inability to take her head out of her own backside), Floyd (for his overall creepiness), Poppy (because ...my god, what child is this?), Hanna (for being permanently stuck in moody-broody land), Noelle (for being as unhinged as humanly possible), or Paul (for being as dim witted and useless as possible.

All of these characters made me want to slap the tar out of them, but they certainly made for an interesting story.

The end was wrapped far too neatly for me, but the ability to understand the perspectives of each of the key players, via specific chapter spotlights, was a nice touch.

Of course that knowledge also made this an even more cringeworthy read but ...it is what it is.

In the end, I gave it four stars because it was paced well, compulsively readable, and interesting in a “let’s all watch this train wreck” sort of way.

Overall, an entertaining read that made me want to do a cleanse and shower in holy water when I was done.

This was my first Lisa Jewell novel and while the writing was good, the characters snd story fell flat for me. To be honest while reading this I predicted everything that happened so there was no edge of my seat feelings. I was not shocked or thrilled at all and most of the time I was kind of bored. Instead of a thriller I’d say it’s more of a book about grim topics. Ellie was the only POV I enjoyed and even that was sparse. Over all this wasn’t for me.

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of Lisa Jewell. The House We Grew up In and I Found You are two of my favorites. The She Was Gone didn't work quite as well for me.

The story centers on Laurel Mack, a divorced middle aged woman whose third child, 15 year-old Ellie, went to study at the library ten years ago and never returned. Since then, Laurel hasn't been able to move on with her life, her every thought consumed by what happened to her sweet, golden girl. But when she meets a nice man named Floyd in a cafe, she is able to open her heart and rejoin the human race. As their relationship progresses, Laurel begins to learn that Floyd has secrets that maybe she doesn't want to uncover.

It was an easy read and definitely kept me turning the pages, but as I was able to guess the gist of the story line very early on. Many of the clues were a bit heavy handed and Laurel felt unrealistically thick headed (or in deep denial) about the reality of what happened to her youngest daughter. Also, the quick switches in POV and narrators along with change in time periods seemed unnecessarily complicated and confusing. I think it could have been simplified a bit and still work well.

I am keeping my seat on the Lisa Jewell train, hoping her next one works a bit better for me.

This might just be my favorite thriller I've read so far this year. Then She Was Gone is a dark and compelling story about grief, forgiveness, and family. To me, this was not a thriller that had an "aha" moment of "I did not see that coming." After certain points in the story, I did see some of the twists and reveals coming and figure out some of the mysteries...but I felt I figured them out when the author wanted me too. So in other words, this is more of a slow unraveling of a complex story. (So if you've read reviews that negatively say this is predictable...I disagree for those reasons.) I felt emotionally connected to Laurel and everyone else immediately. Even when she was making bad choices or not figuring some things out I still just loved her and felt for her. Read this!

What a phenomenal read! I love thrillers, but I don’t love the anxiety that comes along with reading most of them. This was perfect — kept me reading from the first second, kept me guessing throughout, showed redemption in the midst of horrifying circumstances, and told a story filled with characters I truly care about—all without the adrenaline hangover I’ve experienced with most thrillers. I finished within twenty-four hours of starting it, and turns out it’s one of those books I’m still thinking about even though it’s over. I would love to write a story like this one some day. Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.