Then She Was Gone: A Novel

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the New York Times bestselling author of Invisible Girl and None of This Is True comes a "riveting" (PopSugar) and "acutely observed family drama" (People) that delves into the lingering aftermath of a young girl's disappearance.

Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. Beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers, and half of a teenaged golden couple. Ellie was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her.

And then she was gone.

Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It's been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie's case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she's meeting Floyd's daughters--and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel's breath away.

Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she's tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?

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384 pages

Average rating: 7.45

1,677 RATINGS

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75 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

kboog
Nov 08, 2024
7/10 stars
I could predict the storyline just by reading the back cover. I found myself getting bored as I read but the unsettling way the story was written kept me going. Even though it was predictable, I really enjoyed the way the story was presented and the narrator’s voice. I lowkey cried at the end because I loved Poppy so much and wanted the best for her.
Kristie R
Oct 29, 2024
10/10 stars
I really enjoyed this book. It was crazy and suspenseful. I didn’t want to put it down. People say it’s predictable. I don’t believe who kidnapped Ellie was ever meant to be a real mystery or twist in this story, it basically tells you who kidnapped Ellie at the beginning and then confirms it very early on. But the whole story was a crazy roller-coaster full of WTF and very enjoyable.
IAmEmman
Oct 17, 2024
8/10 stars
Pretty slow, not super surprising plot but I got through it. Little entertaining end though
RayMarie
Oct 13, 2024
7/10 stars
This took me a while to get into, but once I was reeled in, I was hooked! A part of me wished the ending was different, but I’m glad the mom got peace & answers !
PDX_Cindy
Oct 01, 2024
9/10 stars
A “can’t put it down” thriller. Original story and colorful characters. This is the book that drew me to Lisa Jewell.

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