A gripping thriller about the unsettling disappearances of Shelby Tebow and Meredith Dickey, along with her young daughter, Delilah, from a once-peaceful community. After years of unanswered questions, Delilah's shocking return reignites the investigation, revealing dark secrets that no one was prepared for.

Mary Kubica masterfully weaves tension and surprises into the narrative, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed this book, and the complex characters added depth to the story. Overall, it’s a solid read that has me eager to explore more of Kubica’s work!

Eleven years ago, a peaceful community was rocked by a series of disappearances. Shelby Tebow was a brand new mother, her baby only a few months old. She went out for an evening run and didn't return. Several weeks later, Meredith Dickey and her six year old daughter, Delilah, disappeared. Meredith was a birth doula and Shelby had been one of her clients. Were their disappearances linked somehow?

Shelby was later discovered half buried in a remote woodland location, her nude body bruised and battered. Meredith was found later in a disreputable motel, her death ruled a suicide. In the note she left, she told her husband not to look for Delilah because he would never find her. Josh is left to raise their son, Leo, by himself, wondering forever what happened to Meredith to cause her to bring such horror into their family. Shelby's husband, Jason, was convicted of her murder and is now in prison.

Then everything is brought back to light. A teenage girl escaped from captors and identifies herself as Delilah. That six year old girl is now seventeen. She tells a tale of being kept in captivity, in a basement with no light ever and another captured child, Gus, her only company. Somehow she finds a way to escape after all the years of captivity and is now home. Can she supply the answers that have been left behind by the deaths of the two women?

Mary Kubica is known as a suspense writer. She has written many bestsellers and this book sold over a million copies. I read a ton of thrillers but this managed to surprise me. As the secrets emerge with the return of Delilah, everything comes clear but with a shock to the reader. The reader learns about the lives of the women who disappeared and the lives of those left behind like spouses, children and friends. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

I am currently reading two Mary Kubica books simultaneously, so I feel confident in attesting she is a master storyteller of compelling suspense fiction. I have flown through both noels and have found myself looking forward to picking them up each day to find out how the plots come together. Fun, twisty, and page-turning, I highly recommend her novels for fans of the genre!

Kubica's 2021 title Local Woman Missing has an explosive opening, taking us down deep into a dark basement where a missing girl is being held against her will. Why have her captors kidnapped her and entrapped her in their basement for years? That will soon be revealed, as the girl, Delilah's story is told alongside that of her mother Meredith, brother Leo, and neighbor Kate. Kubica's thriller slowly unfolds across the pages, spoon-feeding readers bits and pieces of this mystery of the missing.

While Kubica is adept at pulling the wool over her readers' eyes time and time again, what quickly becomes apparent is that 2 and 2 do not equal 4 in this tightly woven tale. The tension ramps up as Kubica teases us with interconnected clues, carefully laying down the groundwork for her big and shocking reveal.

As with most suspense thrillers, Local Woman Missing is a book whose plot cannot be thoroughly discussed without giving away the story's secrets, so I will not spoil the fun for other readers; however, if you like women-focused books with multiple perspectives and big twists, you are likely to find Local Woman Missing to be tantalizing.

Mary Kubica is such a great author, and I really enjoyed this one. One missing person is unsettling, but two missing persons is an outrage - serial killer vibes - especially when the second missing person turns up alive eleven years later. Secrets - there are so many secrets and people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried. Multiple POV are my absolute fave, especially in a thriller. I also enjoy a moving timeline so I can see the story from all points of view and be looped in from the present and the past. I was shocked at the ending, it was so dang good. I love a twist, much less multiple twists. I love when thrillers are written this way - keep those pages turning!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Local Woman Missing</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>Local Woman Missing</i> by Mary Kubica is a chilling and intricately woven psychological thriller. It keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With its gripping narrative and cleverly constructed plot, Kubica delivers a suspenseful tale that explores the darkest corners of human nature.

<h4>The Details</h4>

The story revolves around the disappearance of three women in a tight-knit community. Kubica skillfully navigates multiple timelines and perspectives to unravel the mystery. Each chapter reveals a new layer of the intricate web of secrets.

Kubica's character development is a standout feature of the novel. The complex and flawed characters add depth to the narrative, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in the outcome. The author masterfully explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the impact of traumatic events on individuals and communities.

The pacing of the novel is well managed, with each twist and turn heightening the tension. Kubica's writing is sharp and evocative, creating an atmosphere of suspense that lingers long after the final page. The gradual unveiling of the interconnected lives of the characters contributes to the overall sense of foreboding.

Certain plot elements can be emotionally intense or triggering, given the nature of the thriller genre. Additionally, the complexity of the narrative, while engaging for some, might be challenging for readers who prefer a more straightforward storytelling style.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>Local Woman Missing</i> is a gripping and thought-provoking psychological thriller that showcases Mary Kubica's skill in crafting suspenseful narratives. With its well-developed characters and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the end, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre.

I LOVED this book!! And I've talked to a ton of friends who have also really enjoyed it. I can figure out a lot of mysteries, since I read them so often, but this one kept me on the edge of my seat, without a clue how it was going to end. The characters were super interesting, the suspense storyline was unique, and the twists were big and unexpected! Everything you'd want in a mystery thriller. If you want to read a truly great thriller, pick this one up now!!

I enjoyed this suspense so much that when my daughter’s book club chose it for one of their monthly picks I bought it again to read along with them. I have been a fan of Mary Kubica’s for years and eagerly anticipate each new thriller she delivers. And speaking of… that’s happening this coming week with She’s Not Sorry. And you won’t be sorry when choosing any of her titles. But if you haven’t read her books yet, Local Woman Missing is a perfect place to start.

Thank you for the review edition.

I am always a really big fan of Mary Kubica's books and this was no exception. I was beyond stressed out the ENTIRE time, but it was well written and highly entertaining.

I really enjoyed this book... until the end. The end was so ridiculous and implausable that I found myself shaking my head with it. And then I went back to the other ridiculous things that also took place within this book and knocked it down a solid star.

I liked the format and I didn't quite know what had happened. Once the first twist happened, I figured out what happened to the two missing women. But there was another piece of the puzzle... that was so bizarre it honestly ruined the whole book for me. I was invested, I wanted to know what happened. While I thought Meredith was an idiot for most of the book, that is often the case.

She made poor decisions by leaving her poor husband out of the loop and by ignoring some key signs that her son was literally being abused at day care. She became so self-absorbed that she was annoying. And Kate...well, I liked Kate until the end and then she was handed her "idiot" card as well. Jumbo sized because I had no idea how dumb she was until the very end. Just ugh.

Anyway it was a good read but I was just so disappointed by the end.

The story started out strong but slowed down a bit. There were many red herrings and some were easy to see-through. I thought the ending was a little convenient. However, I do like Mary Kubica's writing style and I'm glad I read this.

Thank you to Park Row and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook.

I don’t read many thrillers anymore but this had my heart pounding. There were a few moments toward the end that I found slightly predictable, but the entire first half or so of the book had me dumbfounded, desperate to find out what happened next. CW for a pretty traumatic and deeply upsetting childbirth scene, as well as another scene at an OBGYN’s office that was also incredibly upsetting.

This book is a mystery/thriller, but it did not feel very mysterious or thrilling. The pacing was off. The writing felt overly dramatic and self-important. The mystery wasn't interesting and the twists weren't that shocking. It just didn't feel believable.

This was an excellent thriller. Was it farfetched? Yes. Was it realistic? No. But the pacing was great and it kept me guessing until the end - which is not something a book can frequently accomplish.

Local Woman Missing was twisty and dark... in the best way possible. I was surprised and scared and sad and I loved every minute. I can see that this would be so popular with readers that enjoy a thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

First Shelby Tebow goes missing, then Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah.

Is there any connection between the disappearances? The title hooked, me but the synopsis did more. Twisty and fast paced, this is a great thriller.

Thanks to Mary Kubica and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

This was my first title by Mary Kubica, and I can't wait to read more of hers. The story kept me guessing and engaged the whole time. I didn't want to put it down. Well drawn out characters with relatable fears were put into challenging, inescapable situations that provided me-the reader with many "what would I do?" moments.
The only thing about this book I didn't enjoy was the ending. It wasn't what I expected, and it didn't seem the right resolution to the story. All in all though, a great read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

I always have fun reading Mary Kubica books, and this one is no different! Binge-able! Twisty- good-time! Highly recommended!

The disappearance of two women and a young girl creates fear in a small community. Questions abound as law enforcement and community struggle to find resolution to the missing persons. There are no answers and eventually the cases go cold. Eleven years later the young girl reappears. Lots of twists and turns lead to a few unexpected conclusions. Well-paced story that kept me surprised to the end.

Another winner from Mary Kubica! I was enthralled from the very first chapter. I am always a sucker for multiple POVs, and this one did not disappoint.