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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4.
I love Holly Jackson. I devoured the GGGTM trilogy (and am firmly on the side that the third one was GENIUS, thank you very much) and have highly enjoyed her first standalone. The writing style and character voice in both standalones is very, VERY different from Good Girls Guide. I personally love the range, but know that it could be polarizing, especially since our MC is unreliable and kind of a jerk. I love an unlikable girl, and considering the trauma she's gone through, it makes sense.
I think the main things keeping this from being a five star read is that the ending feels convoluted. The story is trying to do so much and I think it needs to be doing a little bit less! Particularly with her cousin But overall, it's a really fun read still and I recommend for anyone who wants a quick thriller.
I love Holly Jackson. I devoured the GGGTM trilogy (and am firmly on the side that the third one was GENIUS, thank you very much) and have highly enjoyed her first standalone. The writing style and character voice in both standalones is very, VERY different from Good Girls Guide. I personally love the range, but know that it could be polarizing, especially since our MC is unreliable and kind of a jerk. I love an unlikable girl, and considering the trauma she's gone through, it makes sense.
I think the main things keeping this from being a five star read is that the ending feels convoluted. The story is trying to do so much and I think it needs to be doing a little bit less! Particularly with her cousin
Spoiler
who clearly has an ED and many family issues that felt like they were going somewhere but were barely addressed.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
what the hell?!?
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was crazy.
It's one of those books where you can predict 1/5 plot twists.
It's one of those books where you can predict 1/5 plot twists.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
challenging
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Holly Jackson’s The Reappearance of Rachel Price delivers a masterclass in misdirection, with a gripping, twist-filled mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last page.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price marks my first foray into the world of Holly Jackson—and it won’t be my last. Though I already owned her popular A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series (yes, the gorgeous FairyLoot editions!), I hadn’t cracked one open until now. After tearing through this standalone thriller, I can confidently say Jackson lives up to the hype. This novel had me glued to the page, heart pounding, jaw dropping, and already eager to read more from her.
Introduction to the Plot
At the center of this story is Bel, a teenager caught in the shadows of a cold case—the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Rachel Price, sixteen years ago. Bel was only two when she was found in the back seat of her mother’s abandoned car, with no memory of what happened. With her grandfather’s dementia worsening and medical bills piling up, Bel’s family agrees to participate in a documentary about Rachel’s disappearance—until the unthinkable happens: Rachel comes back.
But is this woman really her mother?
Building Suspense and Misdirection
From the moment Rachel reappears, Bel is suspicious. She remembers almost nothing of her mother, and the woman claiming to be her returns in the exact same clothes she vanished in. The family’s once-stable dynamic begins to fray as secrets surface and tensions rise. Bel, unwilling to accept Rachel’s version of events, launches her own investigation.
This is where Holly Jackson shines. The plot twists are relentless, each one more shocking than the last. Just when you think you’ve figured something out, Jackson masterfully shifts the direction, keeping the reader in a constant state of uncertainty.
Complex Characters and Realism
Bel isn’t always easy to like—and that’s what makes her feel so real. Her anger, mistrust, and fear are deeply rooted in the trauma of being abandoned. There’s a romance subplot woven in, but it never overshadows the core mystery. Instead, it adds emotional depth, revealing Bel’s vulnerability beneath her guarded exterior.
Her instincts ultimately prove right—though not in the way she expected. The true danger doesn’t lie in her mother’s return, but much closer to home.
Final Thoughts
The Reappearance of Rachel Price had me hooked. The tension, the reveals, the emotional weight—it’s all so expertly done. I debated giving it five stars because Bel grated on me at times, but by the end, I couldn’t deny how well-crafted and clever the entire narrative was. Jackson doesn’t just tell a story; she guides the reader through an experience full of breadcrumbs, red herrings, and moments of genuine awe.
If you love psychological thrillers with layered characters and impeccable plotting, The Reappearance of Rachel Price belongs on your shelf. It’s an unputdownable mystery that lingers long after the final page.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes