The Night She Disappeared by April Henry
Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Mini Cooper was working that night. Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her, and she becomes obsessed with finding Kayla. She teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to find her before she is.
I haven’t read many straight-on mysteries or thrillers in awhile (meaning without some sort of sci-fi or paranormal element), and I was really happy to get my hands on this one as my reading roots are very much Nancy Drew. What I really loved about this book was that it took a different approach to the classic mystery format. For one, the author included all of these interesting extra bits, like forensics reports and transcripts of 911 calls. I loved turning the page and seeing a new, fun piece of the case. I also really loved the shift in point of view. Each person had such a unique voice and a different way of viewing what was happening.
All this made this particular mystery/thriller different than the same old. Really, it took the shift off of the whodunit and put more focus on just being inside of the case, how it all unfolded, how people reacted, how people felt. More a focus on character, and I really loved that here.
And then the ending. An exciting, riveting finale to the story. I had meant to put the book down and go to sleep, but I literally could not stop reading.
More Bookanistas Posts This Week
Christine Fonseca takes a shine to A MILLION SUNS
Carolina Valdez Miller falls for FRACTURE
Stasia Ward Kehoe is dazzled by DARK COMPANION
Nikki Katz wonders at THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
Debra Driza is overwhelmed by UNDER THE NEVER SKY
Jessica Love gives a trophy to BEAUTY QUEENS
Shelli Johannes-Wells takes you on a tour of The Reading Room
Tracy Banghart has double-love for THE SILVER PHOENIX and FURY OF THE PHOENIX
Hilary Wagner is in the grips of THE GATHERING STORM
I haven’t read a straight-up thriller/mystery in a long time either. I think the last one might have been Lisa and Laura’s LIAR SOCIETY.
This one sounds really eerie and exciting!
Yes, I was thinking that when I wrote this post! I think that’s the last one I read, though they are certainly very different books.
Oh, I hadn’t heard of this one but it sounds right up my alley! Thanks for the review!
Oohh…I can’t wait to read this! I read April Henry’s last book, Girl Stolen, and loved it. Will definitely have to check this out!
I’ve heard amazing things about Girl Stolen but haven’t read it yet. It’s def. on my list now though!