Scan barcode
beastreader's review
2.0
This book started out great. I was feeling it for the first third of the way. Than, the story and my excitement weaned. Despite the twist early in the story, there really was not a lot of movement in the storyline with anymore big intense movements like the first one. In fact, I jumped ahead to get the story moving again. Which, at the point that the story did, I found myself more just going through the motions.
Lainey was fine but she was not strong enough to help hold the story; despite her being the one that got away. Sean on the other hand was good. He was the cop that found Lainey years ago. I liked his motivation and his tough but kind exterior. This book really had the makings for a great thriller but it missed a few ingredients.
Lainey was fine but she was not strong enough to help hold the story; despite her being the one that got away. Sean on the other hand was good. He was the cop that found Lainey years ago. I liked his motivation and his tough but kind exterior. This book really had the makings for a great thriller but it missed a few ingredients.
lavenderlit's review
1.0
A predictable, yet unrealistic, ending; characters that were never quite likable; and a plot with more questions than answers.
raespresso's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
romorel's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I first read Girl Last Seen while I was abroad visiting my SO in 2017. I found it delightful to find an author from my home city while I was travelling and tore it up then, just as I did yesterday.
It has remained prominently in my memory for several years, reminders and comparisons popping up regularly. The characters and narrative being so raw and intense that it never left my mind.
Laurin writes suspensefully, leaving the crumbs of the crime with a skill that will satisfy readers and get them on the edge of their seat for a brutal finale, following an unreliable narrator as she untangles a trauma that altered her psyche irrevocably.
This is an excellent thriller and very well constructed. It is satisfying and engaging, and is likely to spike your emotions for the dubious paths our lead character ventures down.
It has remained prominently in my memory for several years, reminders and comparisons popping up regularly. The characters and narrative being so raw and intense that it never left my mind.
Laurin writes suspensefully, leaving the crumbs of the crime with a skill that will satisfy readers and get them on the edge of their seat for a brutal finale, following an unreliable narrator as she untangles a trauma that altered her psyche irrevocably.
This is an excellent thriller and very well constructed. It is satisfying and engaging, and is likely to spike your emotions for the dubious paths our lead character ventures down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Classism, Gun violence, Child abuse, Cursing, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Trafficking, Death, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Incest, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Incest and Suicide attempt
melohpa's review
3.0
See my review at http://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2018/05/girl-last-seen-by-nina-laurin-debut.html
mellabella's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. While not without a few things that I found frustrating, it did keep me turning the pages.
Ella/Lainey was kidnapped at age 10. She was held captive for 3 years and mysteriously let go by her captor.
We later learn that she was pregnant at the time that he let her go. Because of her age and home life she was forced to give up her baby.
Her mom was addicted to drugs and basically abandoned Ella.
Ella is Lainey's real name. It was changed to Lainey after her ordeal.
Now that baby Lainey had to give up is missing. Adopted by well to do parents, everyone is afraid that Olivia has been taken by the same man that took her birth mom 10 years earlier. In a way, she has been. Just not in the way you originally think.
I kind of got inklings that Olivia's adopted father was someone that was guilty.
But the twists and turns made the story that much more enjoyable.
Lainey is a character you root for. Her life has been something out of nightmares. So the self medicating, drug/alcohol abuse is understandable.
Although you want her to sober up and get her life in order. She deserves that.
I had mixed feeling about Detective Ortiz. He was one of the frustrating parts for me.
But a great read nonetheless.
Ella/Lainey was kidnapped at age 10. She was held captive for 3 years and mysteriously let go by her captor.
We later learn that she was pregnant at the time that he let her go. Because of her age and home life she was forced to give up her baby.
Her mom was addicted to drugs and basically abandoned Ella.
Ella is Lainey's real name. It was changed to Lainey after her ordeal.
Now that baby Lainey had to give up is missing. Adopted by well to do parents, everyone is afraid that Olivia has been taken by the same man that took her birth mom 10 years earlier. In a way, she has been. Just not in the way you originally think.
I kind of got inklings that Olivia's adopted father was someone that was guilty.
But the twists and turns made the story that much more enjoyable.
Lainey is a character you root for. Her life has been something out of nightmares. So the self medicating, drug/alcohol abuse is understandable.
Although you want her to sober up and get her life in order. She deserves that.
I had mixed feeling about Detective Ortiz. He was one of the frustrating parts for me.
But a great read nonetheless.
kdurham2's review
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Laine is working two jobs and trying to support herself and it is revealed early on that she had a hard childhood with a major experience that forever changed who she was. While working one of her jobs, she sees a missing report, but this one seems different from the rest and pulls her in to figure out what happened to this girl.
I loved the premise of this story and the first half worked so well for me, but somewhere half way thru I got lost and couldn't really get back into it. There was a big thing about her past and what happened to her and how it happened that I just didn't get nor enjoy. I actually rolled my eyes and got frustrated with the book because I just didn't think it worked with the rest of the story.
Laine is working two jobs and trying to support herself and it is revealed early on that she had a hard childhood with a major experience that forever changed who she was. While working one of her jobs, she sees a missing report, but this one seems different from the rest and pulls her in to figure out what happened to this girl.
I loved the premise of this story and the first half worked so well for me, but somewhere half way thru I got lost and couldn't really get back into it. There was a big thing about her past and what happened to her and how it happened that I just didn't get nor enjoy. I actually rolled my eyes and got frustrated with the book because I just didn't think it worked with the rest of the story.
bookish_blonde's review
2.0
This was not for me. I was intrigued by synopsis but was able to guess so early in the book the twists, I found myself wanting it to be over .
morgandemming's review
5.0
Ella Santos is kidnapped as a child and lived, later renamed Laine, who has a uncanny resemblance to Olivia who was also kidnapped—we think by the same man— and now to prove her innocence in the case she has to help the detective that was her childhood crush ever since he rescued her from that dingy basement over a decade ago.
5 ⭐️’s but only on a technicality ..I actually knew what was going to happen in the end but this had so many twists and turns it was so fun to read! I found myself gasping and turning the pages much faster with every chapter. I like how the main character and the reader got involved with solving the mystery
amkirk313's review
4.0
Very good book. Some parts were a little slow moving but it was always followed by an unexpected twist. Was not expecting that ending!