The Night she disappeared is such a treat. If you are looking for a mystery that isn't too fast, neither too slow, but keeps you glued with the slow unravelling, this is it!! I really enjoyed the ride. Lisa Jewell sure knows how to keep the reader hooked.

The story follows the disappearance of two nineteen year olds, Tallulah Murray and her boyfriend (and father of her baby) Zach after a date night. Tallulah's mother is first pissed that the teen parents have not been responsible enough to come home, esp with the baby around and under her care, but it quickly escalates to fear. The young adults have simply vanished. No clues. The novel is told through multiple POVs and three different timelines — 2017 when they disappeared, a year after the disappearance, and when a detective fiction writer Sophie moves in with her boyfriend (headmaster of a school) and finds a very suspicious sign in her garden which might be an important clue to the old disappearance.

I loved the ending. You might say there are two climaxes, and it works very well. Would recommend for an entertaining mystery read.

Lisa Jewell has published roughly one book a year since her prizewinning debut novel “Ralph’s Party’” in 1998. “The Night She Disappeared” is, therefore, her 20th. She has also won several other rewards and number one best seller positions. With such a pedigree it is not surprising that it a stylishly written story with a complex plot, and a lot of suspects – but what are they suspected of?.
We know from the title that someone is going to disappear. That someone is Tallulah Mulligan an unworldly, teenage, “single” mother. Single in the sense that the baby’s father, Zach, initially abandoned her before trying to restart the relationship. In September 2016 they are, all three, sharing a room and a bed, in her mother (Kim)’s house in a small village. Tallulah wants a relationship where they co-parent Noah, but with no strings, especially no sex. Zach wants marriage and a home of their own. He works in a factory while she has started a social work course at the FE college in the nearby town. In June 2017 Tallulah and Zach both disappear after leaving a party at “Dark Place”, a secluded, four-century-old mansion outside the village. The police, mainly represented by DI Dom McCoy, are told they had been having a row before leaving the house and heading off for home, through the woods that surround the Mansion and the village. Have they run away, are they dead or alive, who might know the answer to this riddle?
The village is home to a private crammer, Maypole House. In August 2018, a new Head, Shaun, and his wife, Sophie, have just moved into the cottage that comes with the job. Sophie is a mystery writer and is intrigued by this real life mystery. Taking on the persona of her fictional detective, she starts to investigate, working with Kim and Dom. It quickly becomes clear that some of the staff at the school may have been involved, and some of the ex-students. Of the latter, the most significant is Scarlett, a charismatic, rich, spoilt, sophisticated, wild-child, whose parents own the mansion. Scarlett and Tallulah had formed a surprising bond, to such an extent that Scarlett enrolled in September 2016 at the same FE college, although she is studying Art. Can the relationship between two such different characters be as solid as it seems?
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Wow! This is an excellent thriller! Thrillers have recently become my least read genre as I find that I usually guess what is going to happen but this was brilliant! I couldn't put it down and read it in two sittings!

Could not put this book down and finished it in two sittings. I was gripped by the story of Tallulah, a young mum on a night out with her boyfriend, who didn't come home and a year later no trace of either has been found. Her own mum, Kim, knows they would not have abandoned their baby. Sophie has moved into a cottage in the grounds of the school her partner will be head teacher at. There are many ties between the private crammer and the disappearance of the pair, especially when mysterious clues appear, seemingly left for Sophie as they reference plot lines in her cosy crime novels. What happened that night at Scarlett's strange house and why is no one talking? The character of Tallulah is well drawn and her relationships similarly so. Each little insight into the past is revealed in a parallel storyline between Tallulah the year before and Sophie a year later. A little far fetched towards the end, I loved it none the less

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This story centres around a couple called Tallulah and Zach. They go for a night out and don’t return. They’re a young couple in their teens who have been together since they were 14, and have a baby together. They both live with Tallulah’s mum, Kim. As soon as they don’t return home, Kim starts to look for them, and eventually contacts the police. No one has any information and the case goes cold. The following year, the local sixth form for students who have previously been expelled employs a new headteacher and his girlfriend, Sophie. Sophie is an author of detective books, and not long after moving in to their new cottage attached to the college, Sophie sees a sign on the gatepost saying “Dig Here”, which she does, and she uncovers an item that could be connected to the missing couple, and Sophie starts doing her own investigation.

We read the book from a few perspectives and two timelines, the surrounding time of the disappearance and the current time of the investigation. The characters were brilliant, and all of them could be people we know, they were all relatable. The story flowed excellently, and something was happening on every page. It was great reading both before and current so you knew exactly the clues that came to light and what they related to previously that night. There were twists and turns constantly, never a dull moment. This is hands down the best book I’ve read from this author, and would highly recommend to all. Brilliant!!

Interesting storyline and characters. I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen or how it would end

I don't know about you but Lisa Jewell is one of those authors that when she drops a new book I automatically have to read it. She never disappoints. The Night She Disappears isn't going to break that record either. She just keeps getting better and better. I couldn't put this down, the dual timeline is always a hit with me. There are so many issues touched upon in this book and all feel as though they are thoroughly explored and do justice to the subjects. From controlling and toxic relationships, to teen pregnancy and whole lot more. A book filled with suspense, intrigue and little clues for the reader.

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

My second Lisa Jewell this year, third overall, and she’s going on my auto-buy list (that and I’ll have to catch up with that backlist of hers too!).

A teenage mom who leaves for the pub, never to return. A controlling boyfriend. A crime-writer-cum-amateur sleuth who unearths an important clue to a cold case. A rich family that thinks it’s above the law. A desperate mother searching for answers.

Lisa Jewell knows not only how to spin a good yarn, but also how to keep you on the edge of your seat. I was so impressed by how well she fit all the pieces of the puzzle together, how she created such an incredible sense of anticipation and general ugh-ness (that’s a literary term I’ll have you know) because you can just sense that people aren’t who they pretend to be—but you can’t quite figure out the who or how just yet.

And isn’t that just what we want from a good thriller? A deeply satisfying read.

p.s. I was also pleasantly surprised how well this one fit with my #pride reading this month!

Having read four previous books by Lisa Jewell, all of which were easy five star ratings for me, maybe I went in too high expectations but I just could not get interested in The Night She Disappeared.

Firstly the timeline jumps between 2016, 2017 and 2018 and it took me a few chapters to realise that 2018 is basically current timeframe in the story and 2016 and 2017 are in the past. The dates are just so similar that I kept forgetting and getting muddled. Secondly I didn't like the majority of characters in the book. There’s Tallulah Murray and her boyfriend Zach who are the main characters in the past story but have disappeared in 2017 so aren’t part of the current thread. They’re both nineteen and have had an unplanned baby, Noah. Zach dropped Tallulah when she was pregnant but has since wheedled his way back into her life. His behaviour and how Tallulah handles it was just a great irritation to me and one I found hard to believe in 2021. The 2018 thread is mostly focussed on Tallulah’s mother, Kim, who is now looking after baby Noah and Sophie, the girlfriend of the new headmaster at a local private school. Sophie is a published author of detective fiction and finds herself in the midst of some real life detective work when a sign saying ‘Dig Here’ appears near her back garden shortly after moving in. Sophie's part of the plot just didn’t ring true many times what with her forgetting that a sign saying ‘Dig Here’ was in her first novel and then many times just happening to see something that moved her real life detecting work on significantly. There were too many coincidences and amateur sleuthing that didn’t ring true.

The book dragged and just seemed quite repetitive for the first two thirds. That, alongside my dislike of the characters, means this is a 3.5 stars from me and hoping that this is a temporary blip in style from the author or maybe I was just in the wrong frame of mind.

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

such a brilliant book ! If you enjoy thrillers, then I would recommend reading this fantastic book! Brilliant story, and I couldn’t put it down had to read it n just two sittings! , it will not disappoint ! Enjoy

Now this is how to write a thriller! Expertly written, this is a slow burn. The teenage parents of a young baby go missing and no-one really takes it seriously. Then we peel back the layers and holy shit there is so much going on here! I love how we slowly discover the true natures of the the protagonists. What starts off as a domestic family drama turns into a gothic horror which definitely gave me the fear!
Really good, this is Lisa Jewell at her best.

I received a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books.

I love Lisa Jewell’s books so this one was an automatic must-read for me.

Another fantastic book by Lisa! I honestly didn’t expect to blitz through this in one sitting. I literally couldn’t stop reading it.

It follows 3 perspectives: Lula (1 year before the event), Kim (during and immediately after the event) and Sophie (a year after event).

It was so fascinating reading the different viewpoints slowly merging together, revealing the full story in bits and pieces.

I loved that there was a subtle LGBT relationship - it wasn’t dominating the main plot but it contributed quite well to the story.

The only disappointing thing was the fact that I guessed what was going on about half way through the book!

I’d love a short story set where this book finishes. I want to know how all the characters deal with the aftermath of this reveal!

Well this is a story laden with mystery and intrigue. From the very beginning you can sense that something bad is about to happen. And happen it does, in the most unassuming and yet life changing way when young parents, Tallulah and Zach, head out for the evening but never come home. Now that in itself is bad enough, especially as it is made clear what a devoted mother Tallulah is, but when you add in thr truly ominous prologue ... Yep. Interest well and truly piqued.

The story is effectively split between that fateful night and, eventually, the events leading up to it, and the present day, twelve months on from the pair's disappearance when Sophie Beck moves into a cottage on the grounds of the exclusive school where her partner, Sean, is the new Head Teacher. So far, so disconnected, other than the school is in the town that Tallulah disappeared from, and the fact that the woods behind Sophie's new home were once the focus of a mass search for the two missing teenagers. Well, that and the strange note that Sophie finds pinned to her back fence and the strange discovery she makes when she follows it's instructions.

The story is packed with mystery, more of a slow building tension and alerting of avid crime readers spidey-senses, than an overly obvious attempt to shock readers. There is always big question mark hanging over the disappearance of the pair, and whilst Zach's parents seem relatively indifferent about him going missing, Tallulah;s mum, Kim, knows that she would never leave voluntarily. Added to this you have a cast of characters who all feel ... I don't know. Wrong? I never quite settled with any of them, never trusted their narrative, their reticence in sharing the truth of what happened the night in question. Here is where Lisa Jewell has pulled a blinder, making sure that each one feels both genuine and unreliable at the same time, with the exception of a small handful who I would not trust as far as I could throw them. And in a story where character motivation and behaviour is key, it really does make the narrative all that more suspenseful.

I really did grow to like the character of Sophie, a cosy crime author who seems to be channeling one of her own Detectives in trying to find out what happened that night. Her enthusiasm, and talent for procrastination, was infectious (and I never need to be encouraged to procrastinate), but her curiosity breathes new life into the cold case and brings new hope for Kim. I was very happy to spend time in her company, often frustrated by the way she kept things to herself, but ultimately very satisfied by the way her element of the story played out.

This is a far more complex story than my review might suggest, but I'm mindful of dropping spoilers. It's a story of family, obsession, control, deception and privilege. It has an air of cosy-ish mystery about it in the amateur sleuth kind of way that Sophie goes about finding out what really happened, but also a dark heart, one where certain people are willing to do anything to protect their name, no matter the consequences. One thing is for sure, although the where and why of that fateful night become clear to the reader not long after the halfway point, the ending will definitely take you by surprise and probably leave you reeling. I didn't expect it, that's for sure.

Another excellent psychological thriller from an author who is very adept at catching readers unaware.

I adore Lisa Jewell's books. After Ralph's Party, The Family Upstairs, I Found You and Then She Was Gone I just HAD to request The Night She Disappeared.

Oh wow, this book just blew me away from the first scenes and all the way through.

Taking place between 2017 and 2018, it follows events as teenager Tallulah leaves the house to meet friends. Her mum is left looking after her baby. Up to there, the scenario seems normal. I was thinking "will she come back'" even before time passed and her mum was wondering where she was.

In 2018, Sophie moves from bustling London to quieter Surrey, goes for a walk and is led on a quest to find out what happened to Talullah. The novel is so atmospheric that it felt like I was there in the story.

Oh, my emotions were just running wild. I had tears in my eyes as I was witness to first shock, then pain for the family and a whole lot more emotions on this rollercoaster ride of a Thriller.

Lisa Jewell is a master storyteller and this is an amazingly twisty thriller that made me feel so deeply for Talullah, her baby and her family. I find Lisa Jewell's characters are so memorable and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Lisa Jewell has done it again.
Thanks to Lisa Jewell, Penguin Random House UK and Cornerstone for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Having read and enjoyed books by this author before, I was keen to get started on this one.
The premise sounded exciting, and so was the story! The detail of description was so good that I could visually play out the scene in my mind as I read - to me this signifies perfection.

A great read, that kept me gripped to the very end.

A book to read.. A well written plot, with characters which can be followed turning page after page. Twists and turns, I had to read to the end to find the answer.

Brilliant book by a brilliant author. I have read quite a few books by this author and this one exceeds all the rest

This book is okay but feels like a bit by the numbers. Lisa Jewell is a bit like Lee Child in that she sometimes hits the motherlode and creates a compulsive page turner. Other times it feels okay but a bit lacklustre.

The Night She Disappeared definitely falls into the latter category.

Still, its a worthwhile read and very competent for what it is.

This is not just for completionists or fair weather friends but somewhere in between.

Three stars.

She did the impossible again .... this book was amazing loved every word on every page .... I might even have to say it's the best book yet !!! I don't know how she does it.

The book grips you from the very first word till the last. The characters are engaging and you do get a good love and hate relationship between them which is a great thing to achieve. The story really transports you and will keep you at the edge of your seat but scenes the dance around in your head this book keeps intrigued to the very end.

I highly recommend this book and thanks for letting me be able to read this early ... still have my book on order cant wait to read it again it was that good.

I am a fan of this author and this book didn’t disappoint.

Well written and tense thriller with a plot so thick you’re desperate to turn the next page.

Excellent thriller.