This book could've been like 100 pages shorter if literally any character just told Tanvi the truth. Like someone was MURDERED and these little shits are just saying vague insults and glaring. TELL THE COPS. It was genuinely so frustrating. And the entire thing was very repetitive- there were chapters upon chapters that were just Tanvi being confused, which like, me too girl, but that got old fast. Like half her thoughts are the same 3 things repeated over and over.
There were some parts of this I liked. I liked that there were so many options for the killer because truthfully the girl saw EVERYONE the night she died (it reminded me of Pretty Little Liars and the infamous night Allison went missing). The problem is that the killer was so painfully obvious that the whole idea of "let's have her meet every single person" didn't work.
And I'm not usually that bothered if the killer is easy to guess if the actual investigation is interesting. But Tanvi's investigation skills include B&E and stupidity. She keeps going to places that she knows are dangerous and keeps confronting everyone despite having no real protection from any of them. And it doesn't even seem like the cops AREN'T looking. Normally in books like this, the cops decide it's a runaway and move on and that's why our (extremely under qualified) MC has to solve the crime. That is not what happened here. Sure, they kind of thought Tanvi did it, but not enough for her to feel like they weren't looking at other suspects??? Like. They genuinely seemed to be doing their jobs. There was no reason she needed to be doing all this shit.
I would've liked it if the side characters maybe helped her, but instead the only worthy side character we got was Krista (who was criminally under-utilized). Everyone is basically useless and only there to make it more confusing and give off vague vibes that they killed Mimi. Why couldn't we have Grace and Abby join up with Tanvi? Why couldn't Krista have helped her? It would've made the plot stronger because it wouldn't have nearly as many "I can't/won't tell you this important information! Because I said so!" moments, and it would've meant the side characters would actually be developed.
Also side note- I understand that Tanvi had a lot of trauma from what happened with her parents, but everyone just. deciding. that murder is genetic???? Literally everyone??? None of these people have any brain cells or access to google???

I do think that writing wise, this was pretty solid for a debut. I might read the author's next book to see if the things I don't like about this book are improved. I think it was a fast-paced and interesting story (that I read in literally 2 days), and I'd be interested to see how the author's character work improves.

If you are in the mood for a YA mystery that is binge able with an unreliable narrator this is for you.

Tanvi lives with her Aunt and cousin after her mother had a psychotic break and killed herself and Tanvis father. Mimi has always looked after Tanvi until she becomes popular. When Mimi goes missing Tanvi will stop at nothing to find her.

It was a smidge unbelievable with a glaring villain but it was very enjoyable and hard to put down. The narrator was great.

Thanks to Netgalley and recorded books for an alc

Very teen friendly with a propulsive plot. The narration is clear and relatable but the narrator herself is deliciously unreliable.

I had gotten this book as a ALC AND an ARC. I just couldn’t get through this book. I just did not understand the premise of the book.
I did like the narrator Rita Amparita.

4/5⭐️The audiobook was a good listen! I enjoyed the mystery of a missing person…and the twist towards the end was good! Was it predictable for me? Yes! But did it execute? Yes! So great job on this story! And easy listen too!

I loved this YA mystery. Mimi has gone missing and her cousin has woken up with all sorts of bruises and no memory of the night before. Where is Mimi? Is she alive? And did her cousin do something to hurt her?

Remember when you were 17 years old, and feeling like the world was crashing down on you? For Tanvi, it just might be when her beloved cousin- who was at one point more of a sister to her- goes missing and it starts to look more and more like she could be involved in her disappearance. You'll feel the highs and lows of wondering if someone is truly gone and hoping they're not, the joy and betrayal of high school friendships changing, and the loss and understanding of coming to terms with an old trauma. This story is absolutely top of the crop for thrillers this year, and a truly impressive debut from Suja!!!
What I'd also like to highlight- as it was my method of consuming this book- was the narration of the audiobook. I often listen only to audiobooks with multiple narrators, but I felt that Rita was perfect for this story and never made me want for other voices/people. While I speed up almost all audiobooks, I think Rita used an appropriate and similar pace to other narrators, but she also adapted her pace to really portray the intensity and seriousness of different situations. Her tonality and pacing allowed me to feel the confusion or hurt or hope that Tanvi was feeling, bringing her story to life. I also appreciated that I could tell when different characters were speaking, with different voices especially with the multiple female characters. Every time there was a chapter coming to a close, I found it hard to turn my audiobook off!
In a story that combines old friends and new enemies with a still painful family secret, you'll find it hard to put down this book or (in my case) remove your earbuds as Rita Amparita narrates the winding tale!!!
Thank you to Suja and Netgalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!

I didn’t love this book, but I did t hate it either

Tonvi and Mimi, are best friends and cousins. Tonvi has lived with Mimi and her Mum since her parents died when she was just 8 years old. It seems to have been a murder/suicide committed by her mum.mTonvi can not forgive her mum for taking her Father away from her.
Mimi has looked out for her since she 1st moved in and was bu,lied at school and they have been more like sisters since. Until Mimi became friends with the popular girl in school Beth and suddenly things change between them

More recently Mimi was involved in a bullying event led by Beth and since then Tonvi has struggled to trust her. She has been trying to find a way to stop Beth releasing the video she took that night and comes up with a plan to take a photograph of Beth in a compromising position, unfortunately this plan goes badly wrong and not only does she photograph Beth, but Mimi is in the image too and releasing this image will destroy her. As much as she’s struggling with Mimis behaviour right now, she doesn’t want to ruin her life too. So she deletes the image and goes to bed.

The next morning she awakes, dirty and covered in bruises with no recollection of what happened. At school the next morning the photo is suddenly released for all to see, Tonvi doesn’t understand how this can have happened and before she can get to Mimi to explain she discovers Mimi has vanished.

The police believe she has just ran away because of the photo but Tonvi and her Aunt, Mimis mum do not believe this.

Tonvi begins to have flashes of memory and starts to investigate exactly what happened the previous night.

The book revolves around her investigation and discoveries as her memory slowly returns.

This was quite a far fetched story line however it was an interesting one.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audio book

I enjoyed this book. I loved the way the author portrayed teen girls as real and authentic and imperfect.

I'm torn with this book, on one hand it was interesting and mysterious but on the other hand it was incredibly predictable. (at least to me) I kind of guessed what was happening after about 20% in so the rest after that just felt repetitive and frustrating. I also don't know if I can look past the whole bullying someone with trauma till they almost go insane plot line.

while the plot was not my favorite the characters were incredibly well done. All of them had so many layers to them especially Tanvi.

while the book may not have been for me I know for a fact it will find it's audience. It's well written, quick pace, with really great characters. I do look forward to see more from the author!

This is a gripping YA thriller set in Michigan. Tanvi must move in with her aunt and cousin, Mimi after the death of her parents. Mimi and Tanvi are close and almost like sisters until popular girls befriend Mimi and convince her that because Tanvi's mother had a mental illness, Tanvi is dangerous. Tanvi comes up with a plan to take an incriminating photo of her nemesis, Beth, but also includes Mimi in the photo. Mimi goes missing that same night, and Tanvi tries to put together clues from the night of her disappearance to figure out where she is. The narrator, Tanvi, is unreliable because she cannot remember what happened that night. This is an own voices novel. This is perfect for fans of trillers and mysteries

Thanks to Net Galley and Soho Teen for access to this title.

I liked this fast paced thriller from debut author Suja Sukumar. I liked how this novel played with time and memory loss. I wish that we had gotten a little more information about Tanvi as a person, her identity felt really wrapped up in Mimi’s. I also wished this would have been a little less repetitive, I feel like we had the same scenes sprinkled in multiple times in the book. Overall, I would recommend this for anyone looking for a fast paced thriller. I’ll definitely check out the next thing this author writes!

audio-ARC from NetGalley.

Weeks after her cousin's devastating betrayal, Tanvi awakens covered in bruises, coated in mud, & completely unable to remember why. Within hours, she discovers that her cousin Mimi is missing. Police deem her a runaway, but Tanvi isn't convinced: Mimi is not the type to run. But no one has a reason to hate Mimi ... except Tanvi herself.

With a family history of murderous madness & no memories of what occurred, Tanvi begins to wonder if it's possible she killed her own cousin.

And, if so, why? And where is she?

I was hooked from start to finish. Tanvi's decision-making was frustrating at times, but I really appreciated the exploration of nature vs. nurture & self-doubt.

The ending gutted me, though. I am not okay.

This was a good YA thriller, and it was a nice spin on an unreliable narrator that the main character couldn't remember what happened on the fateful night, and then little snippets kept coming back to her. I did fall for one of the big red herrings, so props to the author for that one! I also think the book concluded well. 4 stars for sure.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book left me feeling a bit melancholic, primarily due to the circumstances surrounding the events within its pages. It seems that girls often face more challenges in these situations, or perhaps we simply cope in different ways. When Tanvi’s cousin goes missing, she is filled with concern; after all, she loves her and would never wish her any harm, right? However, as Tanvi uncovers certain truths, she begins to doubt her cousin's love—if only she could recall the events of the night she vanished.

Update/
I received an audio ALC of this book and I have to say I enjoyed it more the second time around and now have a solid 4⭐️ rating.

The narrator did a great job with the serial. She read the material very well where she kept the story driving forward but didn’t get too dramatic and this taking away from how I experiences the book.

So I highly suggest the audio for those that prefer to consume books that way! It comes out Nov 19th 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and SoHo Teen for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a decent YA thriller that I have at 3.5⭐️ and rounded up.

I loved the representation of an Indian American and the cultural custom references throughout.
While I figured out the culprit it wasn’t an easy thing to figure out. I liked going along for the ride as Tanvi looked into what happened to her cousin while trying to remember what happened to herself along the way.

While there was a bit too much repetition of certain things and Tanvi constantly declaring her love for her cousin there was plenty to keep the reader engaged in the mystery as well as Tanvi coming to terms with her own history.

So for those that like YA out this on tour TBR list for November 2024

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

I had the ALC for this book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is a YA thriller suspense. I was confused the majority of the book which makes sense because we’re not supposed to know what actually happened until closer to the end.

I did change my mind on who I actually thought the villain was in this book but in the end, I did get it right. I love the culture references and found it very interesting.

The fact that FMC has blank spots in her memory that she then starts to get parts of it back throughout the story based on certain triggers is very unique. I really like that. When the story tried to pull you one way, thinking something and then at the very end you actually find out what happened to Mimi it’s very unexpected and I did like how the story concluded.

I love the narrator that was chosen for this book. I would definitely listen to more books from the narrator they kept me entertained throughout the whole book.

This was a decent YA thriller, with an unreliable narrator, and multiple red herrings. The story was enjoyable, not particularly twisty in the sense that we couldn’t guess from the beginning who the killer was. The outcome at the end was not what I wanted to see, but it was realistic nonetheless!

The narrator was great, I always enjoy her books. I listened at 2x, and it was the perfect speed.

All in all, a good YA thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm always very happy about an ARC and being able to give it a review! <3

The cover looks so damn cool with the colors and the two girls and the blurb sounded really interesting too.

Unfortunately, the story didn't quite work for me. The protagonist was too annoying and insecure for me. Her inner monologues annoyed me more than me listening carefully.

There were also too many characters in the story that appeared randomly... without a big backstory or the characters being well developed.

The basic story just didn't grab me enough and at some point I didn't care what happened to Mimi...

Too bad... unfortunately it wasn't quite my book.

When Mimi Went Missing was a wild ride. I spent 90% of the book questioning was she even dead? Was it Tanvi? And I liked that she was a bit of an unreliable narrator. She blocked out large portions of the night. And as Tanvi questioned what she was capable of, I was convinced it was her. Thrillers that make you question the narrator are some of my favorite!

In the end the parallel's between Mimi's disappearance and Tanvi's mother's tragic story brought together such a well rounded story. I loved the ending, not necessarily being happy but you can tell that the characters were able to find some peace after all of the events.

And the audiobook narrator was a 10/10!