Review: Isabella's Not Dead by Beth Morrey

 

Isabella's Not Dead by Beth Morrey

Publication Date: August 25th 2025 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

Pages: 320

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Gwen’s floundering a bit in her life. Her three kids are mostly grown, and don’t need her much. Her husband seems to love his dog more than her and after being laid off Gwen’s half-heartedly making mosaic art to sell. She’s not even excited to join her old friends on a girls-only weekend, but the reunion does bring back memories of her best friend, Isabella. The last time she saw her was fifteen years ago. No one knows what happened to her. This lights a fire under Gwen, and she’s determined to locate Isabella and find out what went wrong.

 

Isabella’s Not Dead was heartfelt, witty, and hilarious! Her mother-in-law was insane and so funny! Gwen goes all about following leads, questioning family, friends and work acquaintances which takes her all over. Along the way, Gwen discovers a zest for life again while journeying off on her own and reconnecting with old friends. I absolutely loved every minute!

 

There was also a serious and a bit of a sinister edge with the mystery. I wasn’t sure how it’d all turn out and couldn’t fathom how or why Isabella disappeared. I had a lot of ideas, but I was still surprised by the reveal!

5 Stars

Book Description:

A hilarious, thought-provoking, and uplifting platonic love story wrapped in the mystery of one woman's search for the best friend who ghosted her, for fans of Where'd You Go Bernadette?

Isabella’s NOT dead.

That’s what Gwen tells anyone who asks about the best friend who ghosted them all fifteen years ago. But if Isabella’s not dead, then where is she? And why did she leave, just when Gwen needed her most?

Freshly fifty-three, out of a job and with children who no longer need her, Gwen decides to find out. Setting out to solve the mystery, Gwen embarks on an adventure across the country then across Europe that will test her friendships and her marriage, putting her on a collision course with reluctant acquaintances, a mother-in-law best described as eccentric, and a rabbit hole full of clues.

But Isabella’s not the only one who’s lost.

A tale of deep, frayed friendship, fractured memories, and skewed perspective, Isabella’s Not Dead is the story of one woman’s quest to reclaim her best friend, and herself.