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amy_r78kent's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
alexgranger's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
khairun_atika's review against another edition
4.0
I can understand why this book received praise. The portrayal of flawed characters were so well-written, that they were familiar and realistic. I think Candlish is eloquent in stories about infidelity and betrayal, be it from the viewpoint of the adulterer or his spouse. The story sparkles with the intrigue of the mysterious and alluring Emily Marr. The highlight on social media and how it can rapidly destroy one's reputation, and make anything easily viral, puts things into perspective. It shows how a person craves to be unknown in a generation where everyone wants to be famous, and this can be done in a snap of the finger thanks to the internet. Candlish goes on to study grandiose delusion, as opposed to fame hunger, and the stark contrast chills me to the bone. An excellent read!
mmpekansambo's review against another edition
5.0
This book forever left me on the tips of my toes a definite reread for me!
emilylouisereads's review against another edition
4.0
The Disappearance of Emily Marr was officially my first taste at Louise Candlish's writing and I absolutely loved every second of it. Her storytelling is exquisite and her character building is amazing - I was utterly enthralled reading this.
Plot:
Emily Marr is a woman living in an expensive suburb when she begins to have an affair with an esteemed surgeon, Arthur Woodhall. She is in love. As is he. Both unaware of the chaos they are causing. Arthur's fame causes the news of the affair to hit the headlines and Emily has no choice but to disappear from all the scandal and slander from the press.
But now meet Tabby Dewhurst. A young woman who began a worldwide trip backpacking and eventually ends up in a small town in France. This is where she meets Emmie Mason. Both Emmie's and Tabby's worlds collide, as Tabby thinks that she has found a new friend in Emmie, she is thrown into her world of mystery and secrecy. Tabby begins to discover the truth behind the real identity of Emmie Mason and begins her own investigation.
Will she solve the disappearance of Emily Marr?
Style:
Candlish's writing style is amazing. The world/character/atmosphere building at the start was incredibly detailed and was something that made you feel like you were in the middle of France or the in the midst of the upper class in England. The scandal of the affair between Emily and Arthur was portrayed smartly - taking in the POV of the rich, upper class that lived in Emily's area and also the thoughts of the small community around them.
The characters were built upon really well and I really loved Tabby's personality and character. When you learn what is actually going on in the world of Emmie, you relate to Tabby: who is intrigued to know more and at times nosy, snooping around in Emmie's business. But what would we do if we wanted to know the truth?
The novel was well balanced between the secret affairs, secret lives and deceit. Everything begins to unravel but isn't rushed one bit. You want to find out what is going to happen at the end, but nothing happens too quickly or all at once which I really did enjoy.
Summary:
This was my first read of Candlish and I will not be able to recommend this enough. It was a really well balanced and well written book with superb character/story building throughout. The mix of scandal, betrayal and never-ending lies creates an amazing story. I was hooked from the very start.
☆☆☆☆/5
Plot:
Emily Marr is a woman living in an expensive suburb when she begins to have an affair with an esteemed surgeon, Arthur Woodhall. She is in love. As is he. Both unaware of the chaos they are causing. Arthur's fame causes the news of the affair to hit the headlines and Emily has no choice but to disappear from all the scandal and slander from the press.
But now meet Tabby Dewhurst. A young woman who began a worldwide trip backpacking and eventually ends up in a small town in France. This is where she meets Emmie Mason. Both Emmie's and Tabby's worlds collide, as Tabby thinks that she has found a new friend in Emmie, she is thrown into her world of mystery and secrecy. Tabby begins to discover the truth behind the real identity of Emmie Mason and begins her own investigation.
Will she solve the disappearance of Emily Marr?
Style:
Candlish's writing style is amazing. The world/character/atmosphere building at the start was incredibly detailed and was something that made you feel like you were in the middle of France or the in the midst of the upper class in England. The scandal of the affair between Emily and Arthur was portrayed smartly - taking in the POV of the rich, upper class that lived in Emily's area and also the thoughts of the small community around them.
The characters were built upon really well and I really loved Tabby's personality and character. When you learn what is actually going on in the world of Emmie, you relate to Tabby: who is intrigued to know more and at times nosy, snooping around in Emmie's business. But what would we do if we wanted to know the truth?
The novel was well balanced between the secret affairs, secret lives and deceit. Everything begins to unravel but isn't rushed one bit. You want to find out what is going to happen at the end, but nothing happens too quickly or all at once which I really did enjoy.
Summary:
This was my first read of Candlish and I will not be able to recommend this enough. It was a really well balanced and well written book with superb character/story building throughout. The mix of scandal, betrayal and never-ending lies creates an amazing story. I was hooked from the very start.
☆☆☆☆/5
faysieh's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audio version of this book and I felt in very good company as I entered the lives of Emily Marr and celebrated eye surgeon Arthur Woodhall as they embark upon an affair which does not end well.
To start with though the opening and subsequent first chapters seem unconnected. There is an account from Lisa Hawes of a terrible road accident in Sussex and then we meet Tabby Dewhurst being unceremoniously packed off after a one night/few days fling, without knowing where she actually is in France.
The story then alternates between the affair between Arthur and Emily in the leafy London suburb of Walnut Grove and Tabby's Goldilocks type stumbing upon a bed to sleep in and being found by Emmie Mason.
Tabby lives with her unsociable and intensely private English saviour, both living off the record, being paid cash in hand for cleaning rental holiday homes in the expensive resort of Ile de Ré.
We learn of Tabby's shocking time at home with her Mum's boyfriend, and we are pulled into the terrible scandal and following publicity when Arthur and Emily's affair is uncovered.
This is a long novel of adultery, the media circus, the need to vanish and reinvent oneself and a couple of twisty reveals which left me open mouthed and eager to read on.
Penelope Rawlins and Noreen Leighton do a fantastic job of narrating this excellent story. Their voices and accents added a depth that made this very easy to listen to.
A complex storyline which Louise Candlish, who is one of my favourite authors, uses her trademark insight into the lives and loves of women to weave an engrossing drama well worth a read. Loved it!
To start with though the opening and subsequent first chapters seem unconnected. There is an account from Lisa Hawes of a terrible road accident in Sussex and then we meet Tabby Dewhurst being unceremoniously packed off after a one night/few days fling, without knowing where she actually is in France.
The story then alternates between the affair between Arthur and Emily in the leafy London suburb of Walnut Grove and Tabby's Goldilocks type stumbing upon a bed to sleep in and being found by Emmie Mason.
Tabby lives with her unsociable and intensely private English saviour, both living off the record, being paid cash in hand for cleaning rental holiday homes in the expensive resort of Ile de Ré.
We learn of Tabby's shocking time at home with her Mum's boyfriend, and we are pulled into the terrible scandal and following publicity when Arthur and Emily's affair is uncovered.
This is a long novel of adultery, the media circus, the need to vanish and reinvent oneself and a couple of twisty reveals which left me open mouthed and eager to read on.
Penelope Rawlins and Noreen Leighton do a fantastic job of narrating this excellent story. Their voices and accents added a depth that made this very easy to listen to.
A complex storyline which Louise Candlish, who is one of my favourite authors, uses her trademark insight into the lives and loves of women to weave an engrossing drama well worth a read. Loved it!
nocto's review against another edition
4.0
A very holiday sort of a read. I loved that it was set on the Île-de Ré where I holidayed a few years ago, it's a place that's near the top of my list of places I want to go back to. It's a perfect sort of a place to pick to go and hide out in exile from the world. (Damn, now I've told you and won't be able to hideaway there myself!)
Tabby turns up on the island when she's near penniless, she was travelling with a boyfriend who dumped her, and she falls in with "Emmie Mason" who it seems is in exile there. The story goes back and narration from Emily explains what happened in her life before this. Tabby slowly pieces together her friend's background. I loved the first Candlish book I read for its twist that I didn't see coming, and this one is pretty good at twisting things around too. It's not like some books where "you'll never guess the ending" is the whole point and if you do hazard a guess that turns out to be in the right ball park you feel cheated though; I think it's a good book whether you foresee the twists or not.
I'm intrigued by the cover I can see on goodreads for this book. There's obviously been a change of marketing strategy for the author at some point. The copy I have has a very dark thriller-ish cover; this one is a brighter chicklit-ish holiday read sort of a cover. The novel is somewhere in between, and I think you'd enjoy it if you like either one of those genres.
Tabby turns up on the island when she's near penniless, she was travelling with a boyfriend who dumped her, and she falls in with "Emmie Mason" who it seems is in exile there. The story goes back and narration from Emily explains what happened in her life before this. Tabby slowly pieces together her friend's background. I loved the first Candlish book I read for its twist that I didn't see coming, and this one is pretty good at twisting things around too. It's not like some books where "you'll never guess the ending" is the whole point and if you do hazard a guess that turns out to be in the right ball park you feel cheated though; I think it's a good book whether you foresee the twists or not.
I'm intrigued by the cover I can see on goodreads for this book. There's obviously been a change of marketing strategy for the author at some point. The copy I have has a very dark thriller-ish cover; this one is a brighter chicklit-ish holiday read sort of a cover. The novel is somewhere in between, and I think you'd enjoy it if you like either one of those genres.
aliceee3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5