Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Then She was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a bizarre suspense novel worth your time. It is filled with classical elements typical of this genre but with a slight spice added to it.

Then She Was Gone is not a novel that will keep you awake at night like Gone Girl but is an entertaining read none-the-less. If you are searching for a quick but still enticing read, then this novel is for you!

Then She Was Gone is the typical type of novel you can find in the suspense/thriller genre. It is a standard novel with a bit of pizzazz and is why I believe it is highly rated, because the pizzazz draws you in. Now what do I mean by pizzazz? In Then She Was Gone, the plot had an unpredictable ending (aren't all crime endings unpredictable you ask? .... only sometimes I say, only sometimes!) which makes up for the mostly predictable plot.

This is a plot you will enjoy if you like Lisa Jewell's writing and want a fun thriller. I rank Then She Was Gone as a great choice for book club; the plot, characters, and seamless switching between point-of-views all contain elements worth discussing.

Laurel is a protagonist you will appreciate. She is a Mum whose lost her daughter and that pain has shaped her life and subsequently those around her. Her ex-husband Paul, children Jake and Hanna, new boyfriend Floyd, and his child Poppy have all been shaped by her pain and are characters who contribute substance to the plot. Well, maybe not Jake but still.

The characters in Then She Was Gone are expected and can been seen mirrored in other crime novels revolving around a missing children which could disinterest you in the story. I say this is a novel still worth your time as the plot contains what the characters lack.

The ending despite its pizzazz for many, is probably guessable. Despite this, it is a good ending that will leave you with the feeling of "okay, that was good." Simple. Easy. Fun.

For Then She Was Gone, my thoughts lack depth. I thought this was a novel written to entice. It contained bizarre elements and guessable moments which when combined, made it a fun read.

I immediately knew Floyd was different and I suspected almost immediately Poppy was Ellie's daughter. Am I proud of myself? No, the ability for me to guess the twist detracted from the insanity of the novel. I knew what was going to happen and yet, I appreciated reading Then She Was Gone.

An easy read I recommend for all.