The Night She Disappeared

I started this book mid morning and literally couldn't put it down until completing it a few hours later. Full of twists and turns; full of drama and suspense. It is the best book I've read in a while. Lisa Jewell at her finest. Covid lockdown obviously unleashed a beast. BRILLIANT book. I just wish I'd been able to make it last longer.

#TheNightSheDisappeared #NetGalley
No one can write like Lisa Jewell. A must read novel.
teenage mum Tallulah heads out on a date, leaving her baby son at home with her mother, Kim.
At 11pm she sends her mum a text message. At 4.30am Kim awakens to discover that Tallulah has not come home
Friends tell her that Tallulah was last seen heading to a pool party at a house in the woods nearby called Dark Place
Tallulah never returns.
2018: walking in the woods behind the boarding school where her boyfriend has just started as a head-teacher, Sophie sees a sign nailed to a fence.
And then a threating note is found.
Who are they? And what they want?
Read this to know.
Thanks to NetGalley and Cornerstone for giving me an advance copy.

I actually screamed when I saw the email from NetGalley offering me the chance to read and review this book. As a long time fan of Lisa’s, right from buying Ralph’s Party on publication, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her latest.

In 2017, teenage mother Tallulah goes out to the pub one Friday night, leaving her baby son at home with her mum. She later gets in touch h with her mum to say that she is going back to a house with some friends. That house is called Dark Place and Tallulah is not seen or heard from again.....her boyfriend and father of her son also vanished that night and shortly after, the Jacques family who own Dark Place also leave town.
What happened that night, the night she disappeared? Her mum Kim is determined to find out.

In 2018, Sophie has just moved to the village when she enters her garden and sees a handwritten notice saying “Dig Here”, with an arrow pointing downwards. When she does, Sophie finds an engagement ring in a box. Why is it there, who does it belong to and why has it been buried?

Lisa masterfully builds up the story with suspense as the story moves between the timelines, allowing the reader to piece together the clues with Kim and Sophie.

I literally could not put this book down. Honestly, I think this is Lisa’s best book yet and my only regret is I now have longer to wait for her next one!

I love Lisa Jewell’s books & this was no exception. I really enjoyed it & will recommend it to others. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a gripping novel about the harrowing disappearance of a young mother and her boyfriend the night of a party at her college friend's house.

The story is told in alternate flashback-present day and from the perspective of a novelist who comes to live in the village.

I hesitate to say more as the plot develops and each new event builds both the tension and the story. However the book is an excellent read and the reader is kept guessing until the very end.

Recommended for anyone interested in tense thrillers.

I am a fan of Lisa Jewell books so was really excited to receive this ARC. I could not put this book down as I was so gripped by the story.
Kim is babysitting for her 19 year old daughter, Tallulah, and live in boyfriend, Zach, when they fail to come home. So begins the story, which moves through time so we learn about Tallulah before her disappearance and introduced to an array of characters.
I liked the character of Sophie, girlfriend to the new head teacher of the school which has links to the event. Sophie is a writer of detective novels and can't help getting swept up by events when she finds a sign by the back gate saying 'dig here'
Another brilliant book by Lisa Jewell, and one of my favourites! Highly recommend!

The Night She Disappeared.
Another great read by Lisa Jewell. Tallulah is 18 and has just had a baby , Noah.
She lives with her feisty mum Kim and her newly moved in boyfriend. Tallulah goes to college where she meets Scarlett the posh girl who everyone one wants to be or at least to allowed into her group of friends.
One night Tallulah has a night out with her boyfriend whilst Kim is babysitting Noah .
They don't return , nor the next day or the day after that.
The storyline does skip about a little bit does not retract from this excellent , gripping read.
I've read a few titles by Lisa Jewell, and this one could be her best yet !

Another 5 star read from Lisa Jewell. I think this is my favourite of her books so far. The story has three distinct timelines 2016-17; 2017 and 2018 offering up differing points of view.

2018: Sophie and her partner, Shaun, move to Upfield Common, a small village, for him to take up a post at Maypole House, a private boarding school for 16-19 year olds. Not long after arriving Sophie goes out to explore and finds a handwritten message saying ‘Dig here’ with an arrow. She is intrigued.

2016-17: Tallulah is a young girl who has just started at college. She is also mum to a 3 month old baby and her ex-boyfriend Zach wants them to get back together and become a proper family. Tallulah is turn between making a go of things with Zach and experiencing new things and meeting new people.

2017: Tallulah’s mum, Kim, is looking after the baby while Tallulah and Zach have a date night. However, next morning they have still not returned and no one knows where they have gone. Kim knows her daughter would never abandon her baby so what happened and where is she?

The story dips in and out of the three time periods, setting the scene and cleverly setting out how the three are linked. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Wow! What an incredible book, this by far, is my favourite Lisa Jewell.
I just could not put this down, I loved it.

When you read that Tullulah and Ryan have disappeared, you think immediately something bad has happened to them, because would she leave her son? My heart absolutely ached for little Noah, I think being a mum really pulled at my heart strings. Then you have poor Kim, what has happened to her daughter? No one helping her out, but she didn't give up hope.
You knew as the book went on, nothing was straight forward and I loved the affair storyline. Scarlett, she was a character, one you did not like from the start and no you know why.
The ending, oh my god, I had a little tear!
Honestly, brilliant book, I could rave about it all day.

Lisa Jewell has done it again with a really enjoyable mystery with characters you feel you know and begin to care about, along with a plot that doesn't go too far into the realms of fantasy. There are enough twists to keep you guessing and the outcome doesn't disappoint. My thanks to Netgalley for my copy of The Night She Disappeared.

Two years ago, Kim’s daughter Tallulah and her boyfriend Zach went missing in the local woods after attending a party at bleakly named Dark House. Police assumed they’d run away together, but Kim knew Tallulah would never willingly abandon her beloved baby son. Now, as fresh evidence emerges, a chilling narrative unfolds a tale of toxic friendship, controlling relationships and what really happened that night.
I could not put this book down. Though set in the present, its atmospheric descriptions of the house, woods and school where most of the action takes place lends it a slightly Gothic air that contrasts well with the modern-day reality of single-parenthood and complicated family relationships.
The characters were all sympathetic, the plot was convincing and the writing compelling. Another winner from Lisa Jewell.

Another great thriller from Lisa Jewell. Some really good characters and a fascinating storyline. Lots of twists and turns with a great conclusion. Thoroughly enjoyable read!

I have read every book Lisa Jewell has written and have never been disappointed yet, absolutely love her style of writing and this book is another 5 stars. I think The Night She Disappeared is one of her best but then I always think that with every new book and am pleasantly surprised by her next book!
Another winner for Lisa, highly recommended to fans old and new.

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
Publisher: Century Penguin Random House
Publication Date: 22/7/21

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another engrossing and unputdownable read from Lisa Jewell. Every Mother’s worst nightmare but totally believable and relatable. I was gripped from the outset, loved the role and character of Sophie and how that made the story evolve and was desperate to get to the end which did not disappoint.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Lisa Jewell never fails to disappoint with her books. The mystery behind Tallulah's disappearance is intriguing, with things gradually being revealled throughout the book. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The Night She Disappeared
Young parents Tallulah and Zach go out for an evening drink leaving their baby son in the care of Tallulahs mum Kim. They text her later in the night telling her that they are going to be late back as they head out to a friends house to continue the party. That is the last contact Kim has with her daughter. Both Tallulah and Zack have disappeared without any trace.
What follows is a gripping tale of surprise and suspense. The author has set the story with duel timelines which adds to the tension. This story had me gripped and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks to #NetGalley and Random House UK/Cornerstone for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheNightSheDisappeared.

Wow just wow. Was gripped from start to finish. This is one of Lisa’s best! The story of a young mother who went missing, told from the year before when it happened, and then a year later when someone started looking into it! Loved it!

I absolutely love Lisa Jewell's books and I think this is her best yet!
Telling the story of Tallulah, a teenage mum with a controlling boyfriend, Zach, and her charismatic new friend Scarlett.
Scarlett lives in the aptly named Dark Place, with her incredibly rich family. Tallulah lives with her mum and her boyfriend in the same village.
One night, following a pool party at Scarlett's house, Tallulah and Zach disappear. There are no clues to their disappearance and opinion is that they have run away from the responsibility of parenthood.
With the determination of Tallulah's mum, Kim, and the new headmaster's girlfriend, Sophie, - a crime novelist - the mystery of their disappearance is gradually unwrapped, piece by piece.
This book is cleverly written, twisting and turning with a brilliant plot and conclusion.
A must read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Tallulah and her partner go out one evening and never return - where are they and what happened to them? I loved the authors writing style here, I thought it was engaging, very descriptive and the story flowed really well and captured and held my attention right from the start. The characters were believable, mostly likeable and the author wrote of their feelings, emotions and thoughts very eloquently. I particularly liked the dual time line and how the book moved from past to present times so effortlessly and that was the story was told through different characters. This book was one that really hit the mark with me, it was written very well, had plenty of twists to keep me guessing and raced to a final conclusion tying up all loose ends. Overall a great entertaining read that surpassed my expectations, and one I would recommend.

The book is set in different timelines, Before she disappeared, After, and Present, It is easy to follow and brilliantly written. The three main characters are likeable but there are also some detestable ones too. Tallulah and her boyfriend Zach disappear after a night out, Kim, Tallulah's mum is certain that something bad must have happened to them as she is certain that they wouldn't leave without their baby Noah who she now has full responsibility for. Sophie who has just moved into the area is unwittingly drawn into the investigation, she is a crime writer and the girlfriend of the local headteacher. It is a year since Tallulah and Zach disappeared and they are no further forward in finding out what happened until Sophie comes across something that may be a clue. There is so much going on in this book, it is suspenseful very entertaining and I highly recommend it.

This was my first book by this author and I was so impressed! I loved the plot- it started a little slow but it gripped me very rapidly. I loved the characters- they seemed so real that I felt I personally knew them and wanted to know them! I particularly loved the description of Scarlet- I think we all knew someone just like her as teenagers!

a fantastic read! I started this with the intention of just getting a feel for it and then reading after another book, but a few pages in i was hooked and unable to put it down.
the relationships between the characters are twisted and complicated, making the book intense and full of surprises.
There are also lots of characters, it makes you wonder what part they all play and leave you guessing til the reveal.
it's realistic, made more so by the telling from all the different perspectives. it gives you that sinister reminder that things may not always be as they seem on the outside.
I found myself racing through to unravel the story and i really didn't know what was coming next.
the setting, an old house, the history and the dark past made for the perfects place for the events to unfold.
another brilliant book by Lisa Jewell.

I never miss a Lisa Jewell novel and I’m never disappointed; this was no exception. Totally gripping from beginning to end and terrifying at times, I devoured it. I loved the fact that Sophie is a crime writer, it’s a really great element and a nice change from a traditional detective character.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic read! I loved the suspense element and all the different characters. There were just enough to keep it interesting but not too many that you got confused. One of the best I've read from this author.

A dark, addictive crime thriller that you won't be able to put down!
Lisa Jewell is a favourite author of mine and I think this is her best book to date!
Thank you for the ARC.
Casey Kelleher

Firstly a massive thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. I’m a huge fan of Lisa’s books and I don’t think she could write bad if she tried.

I didn’t whizz through as life got bit hectic this week but it was quite a treat to have it savoured to dip into when i could.

Every parents nightmare happens in this book when a child goes missing. Lisa captures all the emotions felt surrounding this.

Written in alternate timeliness and narratives we get a feel of who the characters really are and they are not as they seem to be in the first chapters.

Secrets are about to be exposed and are people really telling the truth about that night? Why would a friend lie and what scandal will possibly be revealed.

Tense and gripping . With every book by This author you are guaranteed a treat of escapism in the best way ..through the magic of storytelling! This will not doubt be another bestseller. I absolutely loved it .

Published July 22nd so just in time for a summer read.

I've read wite a few books by Lisa Jewell, but this one is by far my favourite! Lisa is brilliant at creating rounded and believable characters that draw you into their world and make you want to read more and more about them.
This book slowly builds up a complex but connected series of events - told from 'then' and 'now' and all pulled together by one key character. Different perspectives on the events bring the whole picture more and more into focus.
There's mystery, intrigue, several plot twists and drama that keeps you reading on and on ('just one more page before I...')!
A fabulous read that kept me guessing, right to the end!

Thank you so much for this book. I loved it and devoured it over a couple of days. It takes you on a journey of twisting and turning the storyline working along two timelines telling the story or Kim and her daughter Tallulah, and what happened when Sophie moves into the headmaster’s Cottage with her boyfriend, Shaun in a prestigious school for underachievers! Tallulah’s got a small baby and a boyfriend that’s she’s trying to make the best of for Baby Noah’s sake. One evening Lula and Zach go out for date night and never come home. The police cannot find any trace of what happened to them until over a year later when Sophie (a crime novelist) finds a sign that says ‘dig here!’

This isn’t a run of the mill thriller, which is so refreshing in the midst of lockdown- the main characters in the book are all strong women in different stages of their lives - and different personalities and experiences. This is definitely one of Lisa Jewell’s best works - although I like all her books. Readers won’t be disappointed.

Only a storyteller as masterful as Lisa Jewell cut pull off a novel with three timelines, weaving the different storylines and characterisations in such a skilful way that just wish to read on and on. The novel opens with Kim who is babysitting her small grandson whose parents do not return from their night out. She searches frantically for them, only to find that eventually the police drop their enquiries because they have no more leads to follow.
Nine months later, ‘cozy crime’ writer Sophie becomes fascinated with the unsolved case when she moves to a house nearby, and she begins her own investigation. The descriptions of Sophie’s research are cleverly interwoven with flashbacks that lead up to the fatal night out of Kim’s daughter and her boyfriend. We begin to learn more about Kim’s daughter Tallulah, her possessive boyfriend Zach, and another girl by the name of Scarlett and it all leads up to an ending that even the most imaginative reader could not have imagined….utterly gripping! Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for this free ARC that I enjoyed reading in exchange for providing this unbiased and honest review.

This highly suspenseful novel begins when Tallulah and her boyfriend go missing, leaving their baby with Kim, Tallulah’s mother.
Told from various timeframes and perspectives, Sophie and her boyfriend Shaun, later move into the area, and when walking in the woods she discovers a mysterious note which, as an author of detective stories she is determined to investigate.
This highly charged, dramatic thriller is complex in parts, but well plotted, several twists and turns keeping you gripped and absorbed in the story. Characters are finely drawn and develop as this fast-paced story unfolds. Kim seeking information from Tallulah’s friends trying to understand the reason they disappeared, and Sophie exploring the delapidated old house from where Tallulah and her boyfriend disappeared, searching for clues.
Sophie becomes completely involved is the mystery of the two teens’ disappearance, and is determined to explore what could have happened to them. Several secondary stories add interest to the book. I found this book to be a thrilling, intense page turner, and couldn’t put it down until finishing the last page . Exciting finish which I didn’t see coming.

This book is definitely my favorite Lisa Jewell book so far. Told in three timelimes, where a young couple with an year old son disappears, a few m9nths before this disappearance and two years after, the book managed to hit all the right notes for me. I always like it when a mystery novel has a writer for the protagonist and this book was no exception.

Really enjoyable read which i will recommend to fellow readers. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy.

Seriously dramatic with so many twists, so many shady characters and so much going on that it is impossible to second guess means, motives and outcomes. A real edge of seat, read it in one go book!

5+ Stars

Lisa Jewell has once again held me captive with this wonderfully intriguing story that was so hard to put down. This author drew me in with her amazing words and then left me open-mouthed and totally floored by the time I got to the end of the book.

Tallulah goes out on a date night with her boyfriend Zach and they never return home, leaving behind her distraught mum and Tallulah's baby son who she loved with all her heart. This is just the start of this multi-layer, complex and dark story told in different timelines with lots of interesting characters that kept the story flowing. Even though this was a slow burn of a story, it was so intriguing with clues dotted everywhere throughout the book that kept me second-guessing every one of the characters in this story. Secondary characters were everything in this story with some I loved to hate, and some I just didn't trust.

There were times my heart was in my mouth, I honestly didn't know who to believe because Lisa Jewell in some way made me think that nearly everyone could have had a part in their disappearance. She kept me guessing to the last third of the book when the anti was upped and emotions were raw, and that ending...well! The power of Lisa Jewell's writing is significant in this phenomenal story that has to be one of her best yet.
Absolutely brilliant and a must-read!

Every year I look forward to Lisa Jewell’s next book and every year they just get better and better. The Night She Disappeared left me speechless, in all the best ways when you finish a really fantastic book. I always find her books very quick to get into and this one was no exception. I found myself on page 90 after meaning to read the first chapter and go to sleep.

It’s not just the story of a missing young couple, Tallulah and Zach, who are parents to a small baby, but a story of obsession, privilege, responsibility, entitlement, being young, passion, amorality and temptation. I found the character of rich girl Scarlett Jacques impossible to forget. She is so vividly drawn that I had to remind myself that this was fiction. With her her tall, lean frame, badly bleached hair and her mesmeric charisma, she is a powerful catalyst and seems to affect everyone she meets. As usual, Lisa Jewell paces the suspense perfectly, with no slow bits, just enough description (and not too much), and characters that you’ll both care for and be exasperated by.

The story kept me guessing, kept me speculating (I was wrong about three times) and was deeply, richly satisfying. In fact, I missed it so much when I finished that I started reading it again and I’ve never done that with a book, ever. It’s just I can’t wait another year for the next one and I want to read about Scarlett again.