Book Review: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
From the moment I picked up Then She Was Gone, I was drawn in by its poignant premise. The haunting idea of a mother’s grief intertwined with unraveling family secrets is always a powerful hook, and Lisa Jewell masterfully weaves both intrigue and emotional stakes into this compelling narrative. As a fan of psychological thrillers, I was excited to see how Jewell would navigate the labyrinth of loss and recovery, especially after the devastating disappearance of fifteen-year-old Ellie Mack.
The story centers on Laurel Mack, Ellie’s mother, who remains trapped in the shadow of her daughter’s disappearance a decade later. Her life is a delicate tapestry of grief and lingering unanswered questions. When Laurel meets Floyd, an unexpectedly charming man, everything begins to shift—yet even with this budding romance, she can’t escape the echoes of Ellie. The arrival of Floyd’s daughter, Poppy, is particularly striking; for Laurel, seeing Poppy is like staring into a mirror reflecting all the what-ifs and heartaches of her past.
Jewell’s exploration of grief is both raw and nuanced. Laurel’s journey is not just one of searching for her daughter but also about finding herself again after a devastating loss. As I read, I couldn’t help but ponder the depths of maternal love and the desolation that can accompany such loss. The dialogues are rich with feeling, and the characters reveal their vulnerabilities in ways that kept me utterly invested in their fates.
Jewell’s writing shines with its lyrical quality; her ability to evoke emotion through simple yet striking imagery left a lasting impact on me. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension to build in a way that almost mirrors Laurel’s own unraveling. The snippets from the past intertwined with the present create a palpable sense of suspense, making it hard to put the book down. I found myself whispering “just one more chapter” more times than I care to admit.
One of the aspects that resonated with me the most was Jewell’s portrayal of flawed humanity. Laurel, Floyd, and even Poppy are crafted with such depth that their imperfections feel real and relatable. Laurel’s struggles with guilt, her unconventional relationship dynamics, and even her poignant remarks about motherhood added layers to her character. A particularly moving line that stayed with me was Laurel reflecting on grief—"It’s not the memories that hurt; it’s what was never made.” This quote epitomizes the heart of the book: the ache of possibilities lost and the haunting reverberations of absence.
Then She Was Gone is not just another mystery; it is a deep dive into the human psyche and the complex emotions surrounding loss, love, and healing. While it certainly includes elements of suspense, it’s the emotional truths that linger long after the last page. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a rich tapestry of character-driven stories sprinkled with suspense, as well as readers who enjoy a thoughtful exploration of grief.
As I closed the cover after my read, I felt an unexpected clarity—a reminder that growth can emerge even from the most heart-wrenching experiences. If you’re ready to embark on a journey that balances emotional depth with intrigue, Lisa Jewell’s Then She Was Gone might just be the book for you.