I recently picked up Someone Is Missing by Lisa Gardner, and let me tell you, it was a gripping read from start to finish! As an avid fan of thrillers, I was immediately drawn in by the premise of an ordinary woman going to extraordinary lengths to help those whom society has forgotten. Gardner has developed a reputation for crafting compelling narratives with complex characters, and this book certainly lives up to her high standards.
The central character, Frankie Elkin, is a middle-aged woman and a recovering alcoholic who uses her life experience to help search for missing persons. She’s not your typical hero, which makes her journey resonate even more. I appreciated that Gardner made Frankie relatable—a woman with her own flaws and regrets, yet fiercely dedicated to those who have gone missing. Frankie’s quest to find Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager who vanished from her school, sucked me into the narrative. The backdrop of Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood with its notorious reputation, set the stage for a thrilling and tension-filled story.
One of the standout aspects of this book is, undoubtedly, Gardner’s ability to create tension. It was palpable, especially as Frankie navigated resistance from the Boston Police Department and the skepticism of Angelique’s family. Many readers have praised the book’s pace and suspense, and I couldn’t agree more. Each chapter left me eager to read just one more, leading me to lose track of time as I turned page after page; the pacing was simply superb.
However, not everything was flawless. A few readers have pointed out that some plot points felt a bit implausible, which I partially agree with. While I was fully invested in Frankie’s journey, there were moments where the coincidences stretched believability. Yet, for me, it didn’t detract too much from the story; Gardner’s compelling writing pulled me back in, reminding me that tense thrillers often flirt with the line of reality.
Another noted critique from fellow readers is that the characters, aside from Frankie, could have used more development. I found this to be somewhat true, as I would have loved a deeper dive into the lives and backgrounds of secondary characters. While they served their purpose in advancing the plot and creating obstacles for Frankie, a bit more introspection would have elevated the story even further.
As mentioned in the book description, Gardner invites readers into the world of someone who takes on the mission of finding those overlooked by the media and society. Frankie’s persistence and willingness to confront danger for the sake of truth added a layer of authenticity to the narrative that met and even exceeded my expectations. The emotional stakes were high not just for Frankie but for the families of the missing, further engaging my empathy as I tried to piece together the clues alongside her.
Overall, I came away from Someone Is Missing thoroughly impressed. It’s a thrilling ride filled with twists and turns, all while examining the deeper themes of loss and the fight for justice. Despite its few minor drawbacks, the book is a solid read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a compelling and fast-paced thriller.
I rated it 4.5 stars because of the engaging plot and compelling lead character, but I can’t help but feel it could’ve reached an even greater height with a bit more character depth. If you’re a fan of hard-hitting thrillers that keep you up at night, this book should definitely be next on your TBR list!
Dive into a gripping mystery with Before She Disappeared, the first book in the Frankie Elkin series.
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