Book Review: Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner

Thanks to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. It resonated with me from the very first page... but before I say anything else here's a little more about the book.

The Blurb

A gripping thriller featuring an ordinary woman who will stop at nothing to find the missing people that the rest of the world has forgotten.

Frankie Elkin is an average middle-aged woman with more regrets than belongings who spends her life doing what no one else will: searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for. When the police have given up, when the public no longer remembers, when the media has never paid attention, Frankie starts looking.

A new case brings Frankie to Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood with a rough reputation. She is searching for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager who vanished from her high school months earlier.

Resistance from the Boston PD and the victim's wary family tells Frankie she's on her own. And she soon learns she's asking questions someone doesn't want answered.

But Frankie will stop at nothing to discover the truth, even if it means the next person to go missing will be her ...

My Thoughts

Available here

Before I even opened a page, I was drawn to this book for many reasons. Firstly, I've
been waiting for a new Lisa Gardner book for what seems like an eternity,  so no way was I going to miss the chance of reading this. Then, there's the subject matter - the idea of someone close to me going missing without trace sends shivers down my spine and the fact that there are so many missing people out there is chilling. However, until I read the acknowledgments of this book I was unaware of just how many ordinary people dedicate their lives to bringing resolution to the families of the missing by investigating what happened to them.  Before She Disappeared is a tribute to all of those selfless people who do just that. It is also an extremely well-written, well- researched story which gets to the heart and emotions of the subject. 

Frankie Elkin fascinated me. What would drive a woman to live a nomadic lifestyle, moving with her belongings in her back pack from one missing persons investigation to another? Frankie's demons follow her wherever she goes and it is this dynamic that makes her so interesting. Unlike the police Frankie is able to get under the victims' families' reserves. She is tenacious, dedicated and completely fearless. Yet, there lurks a vulnerability about her that makes you want to find out more about her. I found it refreshing to see a main character who is a middle-aged woman too. 

Taking us into the heart of the Haitian community near Boston and with sensitivity and honesty Gardner delivers a narrative that brings the community and neighborhood to life - from the food, to the problems with immigration, to police attitudes and friendships. 

The search for Angelique Badeau, the missing girl, is nuanced with detail, emotion, realism and is also balanced and thoughtful. With action , threats and prejudice to contend with Frankie will no be diverted from her path to find the girl and work out why she went missing. 

I hope we haven't seen the last of Frankie Elkin, because I for one am a committed fan. 

Before She Disappeared is my favourite read of 2021, so far and it will take a whopper of a read to shift it from that position. 

About Lisa Gardner

New York Times #1 bestselling crime novelist Lisa Gardner began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has parlayed her interest in police procedure, criminal minds and twisted plots into a streak of bestselling suspense novels. Her 2010 novel, THE NEIGHBOR, won Best Thriller from the International Thriller Writers. Most recently, she was honored with the Silver Bullet Award for her work with at-risk children and homeless animals. Lisa loves to hike, travel the world, and yes, read, read, read!

Readers are invited to enter the annual "Kill a Friend, Maim a Mate" Sweepstakes, where they can nominate the person of their choice to die in Lisa's latest novel. Readers have nominated themselves, spouses, bosses. It's cheaper than therapy and twice as much fun! For more details, visit Lisa's website, www.LisaGardner.com.