Summary
“Then She Was Gone” by Lisa Jewell is a haunting psychological thriller that explores the emotional aftershocks of a missing person case and the lengths people go to for answers. The story follows Laurel Mack, a mother still struggling to come to terms with the mysterious disappearance of her teenage daughter, Ellie, who vanished ten years ago without a trace. Life has moved on around her, but Laurel remains frozen in time, haunted by unanswered questions and the hole left in her family.
Just as Laurel begins to open herself up to the idea of living again, she meets a charismatic man named Floyd. Their connection is immediate, and as she becomes more involved in his life, she meets his young daughter—an eerily familiar little girl who sparks unsettling memories. What follows is a slow-burning narrative of emotional tension, complex characters, and the quiet unraveling of a mystery that has been buried for far too long.
“She was a spectator in her own life, a ghost in her own home, watching the world pass her by.”
My thoughts
“Then She Was Gone” started off on a rather slow note for me. I found myself procrastinating and putting the book down several times before I could really get into it. The pacing in the first half didn’t hook me as much as I’d hoped, and it took time for the story to gain momentum. However, once I powered through the slower parts, the plot gradually unfolded into something more emotionally engaging. There were moments that tugged at my heartstrings, especially towards the end, where the emotional resolution felt bittersweet. While I appreciated the payoff, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the story needed a little extra spark to truly elevate it beyond predictability.
Some subtle hints dropped early on made the final reveal somewhat foreseeable, which slightly diminished the impact of the twist. Though this predictability didn’t ruin the story, it made me crave an extra layer of depth or surprise. That said, Lisa Jewell’s writing style remains compelling, and her exploration of grief, guilt, and obsession is still powerful. It’s a book that tests your patience at first but rewards you with an emotional, if not entirely shocking, conclusion.
Final Rating : (3.2/5)
Read if Liked ….
Book: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty—is a dark, character-driven story that explores family secrets, loss, and the complexities of relationships with a mix of suspense and emotional depth.
Wattpad Fanfic: The Bad Boy’s Girl by JessGirl93—for an emotional journey of complex relationships, secrets, and a slow-burn romance that unveils deeper layers of each character.
TV Show: Broadchurch—for a slow-burning, emotionally charged investigation into a child’s disappearance with intense character dynamics.
