August 21, 2021
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I am over the moon to share with you one of Fall’s most anticipated and buzziest new books. This September, Lisa Jewell is back with her latest creation,The Night She Disappeared. I feel like I write to you often about my love of dark mysteries and thrillers, and this is certainly not the first time I’ve written to you about this lovely author. I always chuckle to myself with each of these letters because the books I share with you are pretty much the opposite of your writing. However, even though your genre and style differ from Jewell’s, you both know how to create an atmosphere that brings out the very best in your stories. I believe you would enjoy Jewell’s moody vibes and dreary skies covering the English countryside that serve as the backdrop to her new chilling tale. I most definitely did and today I am here to tell you why.
The Night She Disappeared is set in a small English town between 2017-2019…basically right before Covid-19 hit and the whole world shut down. Again, with mysteries and thrillers my plot summary will be cautious to keep every twist and turn from being spoiled. One night in 2017, Tullulah and her boyfriend Zach (who is currently living with her at her mother’s house) decide to go out for the night and enjoy an adult evening of dining and hanging with friends. They leave behind their young son with Tallulah’s mom Kim to mind. Kim is alarmed when they do not come home that night or even the next morning. She knows how strong Tallulah’s love is for her son and can’t fathom her disappearing by choice. Tallulah and Zach are officially declared missing and a search begins. Fast forward to 2019 and we meet Sophie. Sophie is a cozy mystery writer who just moved to the area with her boyfriend who is a new educator at the Maypole House. On her walk one day, she discovers something that opens back up the closed case of missing Tallulah and Zach. Will this unsolved mystery finally be solved and at what cost?
My summary may be sparse, but the story is surely not. I loved how Jewell wrote this book using different timelines and from multiple points of view. To me this created a well paced mystery that had me waiting with bated breath for 2017 to sync up with 2019. The back and forth between timelines generated the suspense I so desire and because of this, I was immersed in The Night She Disappeared from start to finish. And let’s face it, short chapters with mini cliffhangers will always KEEP ME READING. Jewell added a few of my favorite elements to her mysterious tale…the quintessential private school and the ever so beloved “strange house” that both hoard secrets and lies galore! My perfect cup of tea! I loved the history of the Maypole House and all who dwelled there. I was obsessed with Tallaluh’s temperamental friends and their unsteady yet eager behaviors. I was absolutely delighted with the eeriness of “Dark Place” and the neverending woods that encroached upon its morose existence (you’ll see). I was entertained observing the characters take on the dangerous work of investigating a threatening affair even though the police and officials were already involved. I was mesmerized by the darkness that seeped out of this story with each page I turned and tucked under my blanket a little tighter to absorb my chills. I adored how fired up I was while reading and for the life of me… couldn’t predict the ending. I hoped for this kind of reaction and I am stoked that Lisa Jewell delivered me another fantastic reading experience. So while I continue to chip away at all of her backlist books, I can say with confidence that I may just be…Her Biggest Fan! This book comes out September 7, 2021! Be sure to grab yourself a copy!
Peace, Love and Reading…and a few dead bodies!
Your Biggest Fan,
Kelly
P.S. If you haven’t read Jewell’s 2020 book, Invisible Girl….Let me convince you to do so.
Invisible Girl was an absolute clever read! I was instantly invested in all of Jewell’s characters from the very start. I desperately wanted to know EVERYTHING about them. Childhood trauma, family drama, strange neighbors, buried secrets, and a MISSING GIRL… this book had me at HELLO! Throw in some crazy twists and turns and a wicked moody vibe and I crossed the finish line with this book in just shy of two days. It’s fast and crazy and the perfect fall treat.
***I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are 100% my own. If I don’t like it…I don’t share it!
