Searching for Sylvie Lee combines drama, mystery and suspense as we follow Amy’s search for her sister, who has disappeared from the town in Holland where she was staying with extended family. She left semingly to fly back to America but never arrived, and Amy decides to find her.

The plot is split betwen the present day and the past, spanning various narrative viewpoints, from Amy’s in the present day as she desperately tries to track Slyvie’s movements, and Sylvie’s, as she recounts her experiences moving to Holland to stay with her cousin and her family as a young child plus returning there again as an adult, as well as their mom’s. The various characters all offer a little more about their lives whilst retaining a certain level of mystery which keeps the reader intrigued.

Although there are some fairly slow parts of this novel, I found that it kept my attention well. However, I struggled to identify with either Amy or Sylvie – I didn’t feel like I really got to know either properly. Because the novel has a certain level of mystery surrounding it, and Sylvie herself is intentionally a bit of an enigma (as you don’t know what’s happened to her for most of the story), I don’t think this affected my enjoyment of the book much.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of Holland, and the important issues raised within its pages (which I won’t give too much away of here). One theme I found particularly interesting is that of immigration and the ways we can feel out of place whether we’re first or second generation immigrants.

There are some poignant parts which left me feeling a little sad afterwards, but I feel like Searching for Sylvie Lee wrapped up really well at the end. The writing in this novel is beautiful, and I really enjoyed reading it; I now want to read more of Jean Kwok’s novels.

A powerful and moving read which I really enjoyed. It's really a tale of culture, family, grief and evoked a number of emotions in me. Having lived in the same town all my life ( apart from 3 years away at university) it really made me realise the difficulties that families can face when they are living in different countries with unfamiliar cultures, customs as well as the obvious language barriers. I particularly loved the voice of Sylvie's mother and I was impressed how the author portrayed her thoughts so delicately yet they jumped off the page into me. I felt the end of the book felt a bit rushed, therefore the 4 stars rather than 5 but I would definitely recommend this book, especially for book clubs.

The story of the complicated lives of three women within a Chinese immigrant family, this novel really captured me from the first page. Sylvie Lee has flown to the Netherlands where she partially grew up to visit her dying grandmother, but she fails to return to New York. Her sister Amy flies out to try to discover where she has gone. I found the characters really interesting and real, and this book is a touching and lyrical portrait of am immigrant family, and the families ties and secrets which bond. Highly recommended.

Searching for Sylvia Lee, is a gripping, suspenseful and heartbreaking read, with a twist at the end that you would not see coming.

I am wiping away the tears as I finish this excellent book. This search for a missing sister is set in Chinese, American & Dutch culture which all adds to the flavour of the story. I really enjoyed it & highly recommend you read it.

Amy lives in Queens, New York. She has an older sister Sylvie who she sees as beautiful and smart, and someone who she could never hope to emulate. As a baby, Sylvie was sent to the Netherlands to be raised by her extended family living there. She remained for nine years, and has recently returned to the Netherlands to attend her granny's funeral. But Amy receives a call from their cousin Lukas needing to speak to Sylvie. She never got on her flight back to New York, but she has disappeared from their home. As Amy frantically tries to piece together what may have happened, she discovers that Sylvie has left her job, and her husband. Amy begins to wonder what Sylvie can be hiding, and whether she is danger. Overcoming her anxiety, Amy flies to the Netherlands to find her sister. She finds her aunt cold, and her uncle creepy. Lukas,, their cousin helps her on her mission, and the twists and turns become complex and dark. Chapters alternate between the voices of Sylvie, Amy and their mother, and ultimately the truth is discovered. This is a wonderful story about family - the secrets and lies that lurk in the shadows. Secrets that once revealed, can have devastating consequences.

Some of the writing in this book is so exquisite that I just had to take a moment quite a few times just to absorb the beautiful imagery and sentiment. The story is solid and embroils you in the dual cultures of Chinese and Dutch. I cared a lot about the characters and at times felt quite emotional. I have never read any Jean Kwok books before, but I don’t think this will be the last one.

When Amy Lee’s older sister Sylvie goes missing while visiting their Dutch relatives, she vows to retrace Sylvie’s steps and find out what happened. It’s both a mystery and a very moving exploration of identity issues and complex entangled familial relationships. Incredibly emotionally charged with themes of jealousy, secrecy and a heart-wrenching glimpse into the Chinese-American experience, Searching For Sylvie Lee is the tragic domestic drama you’ve been waiting for.

Part mystery, part romance and part family drama, 'Searching for Sylvie Lee' has a lot to offer, and it delivers. With a robust cast of characters, a strong mystery and really solid plotline, I was incredibly impressed by this novel. I found myself stopping to admire the prose, the description and the sheer depth of knowledge and information that was conveyed on every page without feeling forced or laborious. Jean Kwok is a really talented writer and I can't wait to read more by her.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounding up

This was book was both a mystery and a story about family dynamics. While I enjoyed reading this it was very obvious from the get go where it was going. Well written and I liked the different voices of the three woman narrators. I would be interested to read more from the author.

This was a great book to read, another one I just couldn’t put it down. I just loved it. I enjoyed every page and read it very quickly. Another new author for me which I always look forward to.
The story was an unusual one but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment at all nd I just kept on reading until I got to the end.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A tale of three countries and the complexity of families, love and honour.

Sylvie Lee was brought up by her mother’s cousins in the Netherlands but always felt hated by Helena. She then returned to be with her family, leaving behind her beloved grandma and cousin Lukas.

The story tells of Sylvie’s attempt to find out where she truly belongs and why Helena hates her. And of her sister Amy’s search for her when she goes missing.

The character of Amy is much more relatable and rounded than Sylvie’s. As the story goes on we learn of the true Sylvie behind the successful exterior.

A complex tale about how secrets can destroy us and how love can be painful in many ways.

Amy is Sylvie Lee's sister and she is trying to find out what has happened to her. Sylvie had been raised by her grandmother. After nine years she returns to live with her parents and sister, Amy. Sylvie goes missing after spending time in Europe. Amy then goes in search of her sister ut she won't like some of the things she discovers.

This story held a lot of interesting elements for me. I liked ,earning more a out the Dutch and Chinese cultures. It was interesting to see whether families were or not in their own countries. The story is told from three different perspectives: from a mother and her two daughters. The story had a great twist .

I would like to thank NetGalley, John Murray Press and the author Jean Kwok for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which provided mystery, an engaging storyline where we get to know Sylvie and Amy, their personalities and relationships but also gives an insight into their experiences of racism-both overt and also sometimes seemingly unintended.
The mystery was not hard to guess but nonetheless was handled well, keeping me interested as more information came with the development of the storyline. The waste and loss is poignant as Helena, Ma & Pa act out their hurts. The impact on Sylvie is tragic yet her positive impact on Amy is heartwarming. A book, therefore, of many interesting elements, including an introduction (for me) to the Netherlands. Lots to pique the interest and a great wee read!

A heartbreaking and beautiful book about love, family, secrets and lies. Although the author softened the blow of the ending earlier in the book, it was still a surprise as I thought I had imagined the reveal.

The concept of this story was great. Sylvie Lee (Snow Jasmine) goes missing after returning to the Netherlands from America to visit her sick Grandmother with whom she lived with for a few years while her parents were trying to make a new life in the USA . Her quiet introverted sister Amy who is seven years younger travels there after Sylvie disappeared to track her down.
The book is written with passion and sensitivity but I personally struggled with it until I was about half way through. I am glad I continued with it as it turned into a captivating read. Lots of family secrets, jealousy, love and emotion. The story is written by the prespective of the three main characters, Sylvie, Amy and Ma.
A decent read.

A book of secrets and lies. Friendship and love. Family secrets. The book didn’t grip me and I didn’t gel with the characters.
A daughter of a Chinese immigrant family who lives in the us travels to Amsterdam to see her dying grandma. She then disappears.. her sister Amy then goes in search of Sylvia but what secrets will she uncover.

This book could simply be described as a missing person story, and that would be accurate but would do it such a disservice. This story of a Chinese family living in the US whose daughter flies to the Netherlands to see her dying grandmother, and then disappears, is so beautifully drawn. Not only is it a tale of family secrets, it’s a tale of two families who move from China to the Netherlands and the US respectively, and face all the struggles and prejudices familiar to any immigrant family. It’s a book to savour, told from multiple viewpoints and points in time, but easy to follow. The author does a beautiful job in unpicking the story of Sylvia Lee’s disappearance. This one will stick with me.

I really enjoyed this novel. It's a story of 2 sisters involving a mystery and family secrets. I like this kind of plot and I think this one was executed well.
The character development and the thrilling aspect of the mystery was integrated well by the author.
I'd read from Kwok again.

Thanks a lot to netgalley and the publisher for this copy.

I was provided a free ebook from Netgalley in order for an honest review

2.5*

Searching for Sylvie Lee tells the story of a girl who goes missing while in Holand visiting her dying Grandmother. The narration is split between Sylvie and her sister Amy who is trying to track her sister down.

Honestly I don't know what to make of this book. At times I really enjoyed it. The characterization was great and some of the themes were interesting and well discussed like family, immigration, expectations and self perception.

However, some of the story I found quite weird and not very believable. I also predicted the ending. Which for a mystery book usually makes me mark it down - I usually love a twist I didn't see coming.

I would say if you're looking for a good mystery maybe give this one a miss. But if you're interested in any of the themes mentioned above and are looking for something easy to read then go for it.

However if you are sensitive to certain issues I would have a look at the trigger warnings associated with this book - don't want to list them and spoil the story.