Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner
Publication Date: January 19th 2021 by Dutton
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher & Purchased Audiobook
Narrator: Hillary Huber
Audiobook length: 12 hrs 7min
Rating: ★★★★
My
Thoughts:
Frankie Elkin, a recovering alcoholic, with a tragic past
has one thing she’s good at: finding missing persons.
Her newest case brings her to Mattapan, Boston where the
case of a missing teenager, Angelique Badeau, has grown cold after eleven
months. Her raking up the past quickly
gets the attention of the original investigating officer, Detective Lotham. At
first, he’s very suspicious of Frankie’s motives in the case, does she want
money or fame? But when her questions bring fresh leads out Lotham and Frankie
form a reluctant team with an undercurrent of attraction between them.
Before She Disappeared was sort of old-school
investigation of asking a question and then the next one instead of relying on
forensics and police technology since Frankie didn’t have access to all of
that. She had a talent for shaking out
information.
I liked Frankie, the way she effortlessly formed bonds with the
people she met, even though she’s a self-proclaimed rolling-stone. Once settled
on a new case she arrives in town and won’t leave until she finds the missing
person. Frankie’s determination was admirable, but I do wish she’d allow
herself to settle down, form roots and be happy. I think pulling up stakes when
she finishes is her way of penance for a tragedy that was ultimately not her
fault, and it made me sad thinking about it. That’s the thing about Lisa Gardner’s
stories, she makes her characters come to life, flaws and all, so that you care
about their happiness beyond just solving the current mystery.
I’ve been a huge fan of Lisa Gardner’s smart,
well-researched mysteries for years. Even before Goodreads. Not completely sure
if there will be more books featuring Frankie as Ms. Gardner has said this is
her first “standalone” in twenty years. If there are more, I’d like Frankie to
forgive herself. Plus, I want more of Piper the “attack cat”! I guess we’ll see. Whatever she comes up with next I’ll be
reading!
I’ve enjoyed Hillary Huber’s narration before so when I
noticed she was narrating Before She Disappeared I grabbed up an audio
copy so I could continue with the story while doing other things in real-life.
Sometimes, you just don’t want to put the book down, lol! Ms. Huber has a rich,
sultry voice which enhanced an already captivating story. I listened at 1.5x
normal speed.
4 Stars
I like the sound of a more old school approach to investigating. I've never read a Gardner novel before, but this one is definitely going onto my TBR!
ReplyDeleteShe has a whole backlist of wonderful books! I love her Quincy/Rainy series, but also her Detective D.D. Warren one.
DeleteThis sounds really good. I love a well-written mystery, and even better when it has great characters!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I agree!
DeleteLisa Gardner is great. I need to read more of her books! :)
ReplyDeleteFor sure! She's an auto read for me. :)
DeleteThis sounds like a really good one, I'm intrigued. Lovely cover too, really catches the eye.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteFrankie sounds like an interesting character. And it's a nice twist when it's a private citizen is doing the investigating - someone who does have the same access as the police. Hopefully Gardner will decided to write more for Frankie.
ReplyDeleteYep, just getting down to the basics with questions. I hope she does!
DeleteThat sounds like it would be really enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteIt was!
DeleteI always meant to try something by this author
ReplyDeleteYou should! After your binge of Elly Griffiths, I think you might like her. :)
DeleteI would enjoy this as I love a well written mystery.
ReplyDeleteSame here! Hope you do.
DeleteI've loved two series she has done but it's been quite awhile since I read them. I loved this so much! Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart