50 pages 1 hour read

Lisa Gardner

Before She Disappeared

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner, amateur detective Frankie Elkin, who specializes in finding missing persons from marginalized communities, arrives in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood to search for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager who disappeared nearly a year earlier. Through her investigation, Frankie uncovers a complex web of secrets and dangers, ultimately confronting issues of invisibility and marginalization while seeking redemption for her past mistakes. The book discusses themes of racism, addiction, sexual violence, and violence involving children.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Lisa Gardner's Before She Disappeared offers a gripping thriller featuring a determined protagonist, Frankie Elkin, who searches for missing persons. Its strong character development and intense plot have been praised. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and side characters underdeveloped. Overall, it’s a compelling read with some minor flaws.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Before She Disappeared?

A reader who enjoys Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner likely appreciates gripping thrillers with complex characters. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train will find Gardner's novel equally compelling, with its strong, flawed protagonist and intricate mystery.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Identity: Gender

Identity: Race