Scan barcode
mysterymom40's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Confinement, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Violence, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Animal cruelty, Torture, Sexual content, and Death
Minor: Suicide
lez_whale's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
5.0
This book was incredible!!! Definitely broke me out of a reading rut. The end is somewhat controversial as to who likes it, but I loved it. From the beginning, it kept me engaged and interesting and I truly loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Pregnancy, and Child death
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Suicide
laruru's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this thriller and liked that the plot twist is somewhat hinted at in the beginning, but you read the entire book hoping your predictions are wrong, the book is pretty dark and twisted. It was a little slow in the beginning, basically an extended version of the blurb - Laurel meeting Floyd and his daughter who looks exactly like Ellie. But the story picks up around part three and things get interesting. I liked the change of POVs, each one gave a different vibe to the story. Overall, a quick and easy read, would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Stalking
nuh_thaan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The thrills were so good with this one! It was such a fun and fast paced read. Even though I could predict some of the things that happened, it was a good time!
As we started to learn about the connection between Floyd and Noelle, it was very easy to sense that Noelle couldn't get pregnant. All the pieces fell into place as you knew the set up from the end result in the beginning of the book, but not necessarily the how or why.
How Ellie became pregnant really surprised me! I thought that Floyd was going to play a bigger part in that with Noelle, but it was really just her that was completely unhinged. The fact that she bought sperm and inseminated Ellie was appalling.
I also thought the end of Part Four was fascinating where Floyd was giving Noelle a gift, but Part Five really dropped the ball. It was too happy and easy for the characters. I wanted more drama and for it to keep up pace with the rest of the book. The fact that Blue said Floyd's aura was dark felt like it didn't really come into play.
Poppy was also an interesting character and acted so much older. I was hoping we'd find out more about why Floyd made the decisions she did.
Definitely recommend this one for people looking for a fast, fun, thrilling read!
As we started to learn about the connection between Floyd and Noelle, it was very easy to sense that Noelle couldn't get pregnant. All the pieces fell into place as you knew the set up from the end result in the beginning of the book, but not necessarily the how or why.
How Ellie became pregnant really surprised me! I thought that Floyd was going to play a bigger part in that with Noelle, but it was really just her that was completely unhinged. The fact that she bought sperm and inseminated Ellie was appalling.
I also thought the end of Part Four was fascinating where Floyd was giving Noelle a gift, but Part Five really dropped the ball. It was too happy and easy for the characters. I wanted more drama and for it to keep up pace with the rest of the book. The fact that Blue said Floyd's aura was dark felt like it didn't really come into play.
Poppy was also an interesting character and acted so much older. I was hoping we'd find out more about why Floyd made the decisions she did.
Definitely recommend this one for people looking for a fast, fun, thrilling read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Child abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, and Torture
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
malloryhill10's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Physical abuse, Torture, Child abuse, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Murder
corinnemarycox's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Child death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Rape
sullle71's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Kidnapping, and Torture
Moderate: Murder and Sexual assault
kelly_e's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: Then She Was Gone
Author: Lisa Jewell
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: April 24, 2018
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Suspenseful β’ Compelling β’ Dark
π S Y N O P S I S
Ellie Mack has been missing for ten years. Her mother, Laurel, has been gripped by the hands of grief ever since, resulting in the dissolution of her marriage and a strained relationship with her other two children. Despite everything, she still holds out hope that Ellie will return one day.
When a handsome stranger named Floyd sweeps her off her feet. Before too long things have gotten pretty serious, and she is meeting his daughter, Poppy. When she sees Poppy for the first time, it takes her breath away as she has a striking resemblance to Ellie. The meeting stirs up all the unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel all these years.
π T H O U G H T S
After reading The House We Grew Up In I vowed to never read another Lisa Jewell book. Yet with a little encouragement from a friend and the opportunity of buddy reading it with her, I knew it was the ideal time to try again. Turns out I am glad I did.
It's been quite some time since I've picked up a thriller that held my attention beyond the first third, but this was definitely it! Lisa Jewell delivers a psychological thriller with emotional depth, and flawed, believable and well written characters. It kept me intrigued and guessing from start to finish, and I particularly valued the mother/daughter relationship. She constantly drops little hints throughout the story that eventually allows the plots to intersect flawlessly.
I don't know if it's my psychology/neuropsychology background but I always love trying to decipher the psychological aspects and how the characters brains work and the motivations behind their behaviours.
My one issue was the structure jumping around so much. The voice switched from one person to another at various parts, making it feel a tad disjointed at time. However, I admit there may not have been another option to properly flush out the narrative.
The icing on the top was Ellie's letter to help wrap things up, and leave me satisfied with the ending. The only thing I'd have wanted to change was Floyd's fate. Then She Was Gone helped me realized I like my thrillers with depth, and I'd consider for Lisa Jewell thrillers in the future.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ fans of Ruth Ware and Liane Moriarty
β’ readers who like the missing person trope
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"When I read a book it feels like real life and when I put the book down it's like I go back into the dream."
"Cooking doesnβt just nurture the recipient, it nurtures the chef."
Author: Lisa Jewell
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: April 24, 2018
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Suspenseful β’ Compelling β’ Dark
π S Y N O P S I S
Ellie Mack has been missing for ten years. Her mother, Laurel, has been gripped by the hands of grief ever since, resulting in the dissolution of her marriage and a strained relationship with her other two children. Despite everything, she still holds out hope that Ellie will return one day.
When a handsome stranger named Floyd sweeps her off her feet. Before too long things have gotten pretty serious, and she is meeting his daughter, Poppy. When she sees Poppy for the first time, it takes her breath away as she has a striking resemblance to Ellie. The meeting stirs up all the unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel all these years.
π T H O U G H T S
After reading The House We Grew Up In I vowed to never read another Lisa Jewell book. Yet with a little encouragement from a friend and the opportunity of buddy reading it with her, I knew it was the ideal time to try again. Turns out I am glad I did.
It's been quite some time since I've picked up a thriller that held my attention beyond the first third, but this was definitely it! Lisa Jewell delivers a psychological thriller with emotional depth, and flawed, believable and well written characters. It kept me intrigued and guessing from start to finish, and I particularly valued the mother/daughter relationship. She constantly drops little hints throughout the story that eventually allows the plots to intersect flawlessly.
I don't know if it's my psychology/neuropsychology background but I always love trying to decipher the psychological aspects and how the characters brains work and the motivations behind their behaviours.
My one issue was the structure jumping around so much. The voice switched from one person to another at various parts, making it feel a tad disjointed at time. However, I admit there may not have been another option to properly flush out the narrative.
The icing on the top was Ellie's letter to help wrap things up, and leave me satisfied with the ending. The only thing I'd have wanted to change was Floyd's fate. Then She Was Gone helped me realized I like my thrillers with depth, and I'd consider for Lisa Jewell thrillers in the future.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ fans of Ruth Ware and Liane Moriarty
β’ readers who like the missing person trope
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"When I read a book it feels like real life and when I put the book down it's like I go back into the dream."
"Cooking doesnβt just nurture the recipient, it nurtures the chef."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Stalking, Sexual content, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
livvmarks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Definitely a dark and very heavy read, but also a great mystery with many twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Abandonment, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Torture, Stalking, Mental illness, Infertility, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Miscarriage
abbygcarter08's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Child abuse, and Child death