This book started out very promising but quickly lost it. I had really high hopes for this one and they fell flat.

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

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

<i>The Night She Went Missing</i> by Kristen Bird presents a solid mystery that captivates with its premise but falls short of reaching its full potential. Set against the backdrop of a small town, the novel follows the mysterious disappearance of Emily, unraveling a tale of secrets and suspense.

<h4>The Details</h4>

One of the strengths of the novel lies in its atmospheric storytelling. Bird skillfully creates a sense of unease and tension, drawing readers into the enigma surrounding the disappearance. The pacing is generally steady, allowing for the gradual unfolding of the mystery.

The characters are well-crafted, with one character at the center of the intrigue. Their complexities and hidden facets add depth to the narrative. However, some supporting characters may lack the development needed to make their roles truly impactful.

While the resolution of the mystery provides closure, it may not deliver the level of surprise or ingenuity expected in a top-tier thriller. Certain plot twists might feel somewhat formulaic, and astute readers may anticipate some of the revelations.

Additionally, the novel may suffer from moments of predictability, with certain clues and red herrings not fully exploiting the potential for unexpected turns. The balance between suspense and revelation, though present, doesn't consistently sustain the level of engagement throughout the entire narrative.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>The Night She Went Missing</i> is a competent mystery that offers an intriguing premise and a satisfying resolution. While it may lack the unpredictability of top-tier thrillers, it provides an enjoyable read for those seeking a solid mystery with a small-town setting.

This story started a bit slow. To be honest, I put it down for a few days, then I picked it back it. It did get better the further along I went. I did enjoy the search for who did what to whom!

Thought this was a pretty great read. Absolutely loved the cover and the vibes it threw off. Enjoyed then plot and really appreciated the Authors writing style.

The Night She Went Missing by Kristen Bird

This is a well written, page turner that had me from page one to the explosive ending.

Emily’s family had to move from Oregon to Texas because of a scandal involving her mother, that caused Emily to have to start her senior year in a new town, having to make new friends and she is not happy. The saving grace is that she is able to make a new friend named Alex who allows her to at least be able to have fun as a senior, by having someone to hang out with.

When Emily goes to a party with her new friends, goes missing and is last seen with Alex, we learn a lot about the people in this Texas town and lots of secrets come to the surface that cause this story to have an explosive ending with twists and turns I did not see coming. I love stories like that.

Very well written, this had a “Big Little Lies” feel to it that I really enjoyed. I will certainly read more work by this author.

Rating 4
Linda C

This one took me a minute to get into however it really picked up a few chapters into the story. The main character was well done and the ending was good.

I really enjoyed the back and forth between the searchers and the foundling.
I managed to figure things out kinda early, but it was no less interesting seeing how everything played out. Really enjoyed this and will definitely be looking for more from Kristen Bird.
Adore finding a new author with a back list!
Much love to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC.

A great read by this author. I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Captivating, but pretty predictable. Just okay for me.

The Night She Went Missing by Kristen Bird, had me thinking until the end of who did it! Emily, a preppy senior seems to have it all. They just moved to the new town because of her mothers job. They move to the town where her father grew up and their whole family is notorious. One good thing about her family is they started the exclusive school and being one of the family means Emily was a shoe in. It’s not an easy transition for her. She is still upset over the move and she is having a tough time fitting in. She went missing, after a night out with friends. The last person she was seen with is a football player, who is known for being trouble. As this tight knit community looks for Emily, fingers are pointed and scenarios are made up. Three friends are in the gift of their lives. Protecting and keeping their children out of the spot light. What length will each go to keep their secrets? Can they keep it together before the truth is told? This story had so many good twists. I couldn’t put it down, to see what happened. The family and the friendships are pushed to maximum capacity. This was a 4 star read for me. I want to thank Netgalley and the author for my copy. It was a pleasure to read and review for my copy. I hope you enjoy it as much!!!

This was meh to me. It felt like a muddled wanna be Big Little Lies but with a weirder plot and forgettable characters.

The Night She Went Missing is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked. The characters are well-developed. The story is incredibly fast-paced. This is one not to be missed! Highly recommended! Be sure to check out The Night She Went Missing asap.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.

This was a terrific read, and I have to say this makes for an ideal summer thriller to enjoy as you lounge around on a sunny day.

I totally enjoyed the "remote" setting of this book, and that claustrophobic sensation of being in a big small town where there are no secrets. The totally dysfunctional family vibe was perfectly done, and I was totally sucked into the drama of the family dynamics. The pacing on this one is bang on, and I actually really liked that from the beginning you know that Emily is alive but you don't know what happened to her, or why. It unfolded brilliantly.

Overall, this is one that should be on your list if you enjoy character dramas with a touch of mystery and a healthy dose of small town relationship drama.

This one intrigued me at the beginning but quickly lost steam as it became more and more outlandish and unbelievable. I also found the characters highly unlikeable and irrational. I grew up a Houstonian, visiting Galveston often…but even the familiar setting wasn’t enough to save this book. 2.5 stars.

The Callahans have been Galveston's ruling family since the great hurricane of 1900. After Catherine Callahan is disgraced at work, her husband Carter (the oldest Callahan son) moves his family back to Galveston in the hopes of shielding their daughters from ramifications of Catherine's mistake. Instead of finishing an elite prep school in a privileged setting, oldest daughter Emily is socially rejected and goes missing one night after a party. Told from the perspectives Catherine and two other women, Leslie and Morgan, who each have a stake in the outcome of Emily's disappearance, the women's most carefully held secrets comes to light as the the investigation unfolds.

Great suspense novel! I wasn't sure where it was headed in the beginning, but this book quickly became a page-turner for me and I could not put it down until it was finished. I had an inkling of who was responsible for Emily's disappearance near the middle, but a bit after that I convinced myself it couldn't possibly be......until I again started wondering, but is it though?

This was definitely an intriguing domestic suspense novel. I was engaged in this story from the beginning. The main focal point of the book is that Emily, a high school senior, goes missing after a party. The story also focuses on three women. One is Emily’s mother and two other women who worry about any connection they or any family members might have to her disappearance. They try to piece together the night Emily vanished and what preceded it. Overall this was an interesting book with a lot happening throughout. Some of the situations were over the top but it was still a captivating book.

I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down. I highly recommend reading it! You won’t be disappointed.

I enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't the best thriller novel I've ever read but I thought that it was a good try for a debut novel. Would recommend others to pick it up and give it a try.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Emily is a high school senior who comes from a family well known in their Texas community. One night, she goes missing after having a movie night with friends. Her mom, Catherine, understandably freaks out. She thinks she knows who might’ve put Emily in harm. Two other women in town have their suspicions too. Are any of them right? I don’t have a lot to say about this one. The synopsis pulled me in, and I enjoyed the first half. I could just imagine all of the wicked directions the story might’ve gone. Unfortunately, the second half is bogged down with terrible dialogue (huge pet peeve of mine). On top of that, The plot points and characters became tedious and extremely unrealistic. Nothing shocked me, and the ending left a lot (and I mean a lot) to be desired. Honestly, I couldn’t have cared less what happened to Emily. To sum it up, I wouldn’t recommend this one. I hope other readers have better success with it.

The Night She Went Missing is Kristen Bird’s debut novel. I really enjoyed this book. The writing was really well done, and these secrets and twists were fantastic. I like the setting in Texas at an academy. I appreciate the alternating chapters and points of view. I look forward to more books by this author.