Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner

Let's meet Author Lisa Gardner and see what's happening with her newest book Before She Disappeared coming out January 19, 2021.

"New York Times #1 bestselling crime novelist Lisa Gardner began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has parlayed her interest in police procedure, criminal minds and twisted plots into a streak of bestselling suspense novels. Her 2010 novel, THE NEIGHBOR, won Best Thriller from the International Thriller Writers. Most recently, she was honored with the Silver Bullet Award for her work with at-risk kids and homeless animals. Lisa loves to hike, travel the world, and yes, read, read, read!

Readers are invited to enter the annual "Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy" Sweepstakes, where they can nominate the person of their choice to die in Lisa's latest novel. People have nominated themselves, spouses, bosses. It's cheaper than therapy and twice as much fun! 

For more details, visit Lisa's website.

Lisa's latest novel BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED, is available January 19, 2021. Meet Frankie Elkin, an everyday average woman who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. Her latest mission has brought her to Mattapan, Boston to find a missing Haitian teen. Eleven months later, Angelique Badeau's disappearance remains a mystery. What happened to the quiet, studious teen? Frankie learns quickly the dangers of asking too many questions, but that won't stop her from discovering the truth behind what happened BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED." ~Amazon 

Sites of Author Lisa Gardner:

Amazon

Goodreads

Website

NetGalley

Before She Disappeared Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner, a propulsive thriller featuring an ordinary woman who will stop at nothing to find the missing people that the rest of the world has forgotten.

"Frankie Elkin is an average middle-aged woman, a recovering alcoholic with more regrets than belongings. But she spends her life doing what no one else will--searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for. When the police have given up, when the public no longer remembers, when the media has never paid attention, Frankie starts looking.

A new case brings her to Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood with a rough reputation. She is searching for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager who vanished from her high school months earlier. Resistance from the Boston PD and the victim's wary family tells Frankie she's on her own--and she soon learns she's asking questions someone doesn't want answered. But Frankie will stop at nothing to discover the truth, even if it means the next person to go missing could be her." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth reading
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Hooked from the beginning -- a character you will cheer for and respect!

Author Lisa Gardner is a master at pacing, plot, and my personal favorite, characters. Gardner  demonstrates her ability to evolve her character slowly over the course of her work. With Before She Disappeared -- a standalone with possible series potential, we are given this beautiful unrolling insight into the mc Frankie Elkin. A recovering alcoholic who has been sober for about ten years, Frankie gives us awareness into her world of addiction. We're given brief flashbacks of her time with a man who helped her, Paul, and we're given breadcrumbs concerning her youth. As a result of her life of addiction, she knows anxiety and the tendency to fixate. These characteristics lead her to focus her energy, resources -- few though they are, and her presence into solving missing people cases. 

Having found fourteen missing persons to date, Frankie has finished one case and is ready to move on to another. Mattapan, Boston and teenager Angelique Badeau become her next stop. Aware of how families and police will react to her involvement, she's not surprised by any hesitancy, anger, or warnings to back off. Instead, she uses her wit, understanding of bad choices, and ability to slide into the life of those she surrounded to begin her work. 

The head detective, Dan Lotham, on the case is hesitant to accept her assistance as well as the story that she just wants to help; the silent, monosyllabic Stoney owns the bar and apartment where she signs up to work; wise and friendly Viv, the cook, helps Frankie learn the ropes; a fellow AA member, Charlie, gives her an anchor and information; and the aunt and brother of Angelique show her one part of the missing girl's personality and their love for her. Each cast member gives a part of themselves to the story, and the evolution of the mystery and the tidbits Frankie finds out come from each of these sources and more. Slowly, she becomes a fixture in their neck of the woods, and she befriends some while is tolerated by others. 

Quickly, Frankie's presence is shown to be a nuisance by those who have secrets to hide, and the mystery involving Angelique turns into a complete head-scratcher. We're given a few clues, understanding of Angelique's character, the shrewdness and sharpness of Frankie's deductions as well as her wit, and developing relationships Frankie creates along the way. All of these interactions lead us to the who, what, where, when, and why of the case. 

I was impressed and surprised by the amount of information and trust Frankie is garnered as the story progresses. There are several elements to this story that give it spice and flavor and depth. It kept me engaged, turning the pages, and wanting to know more. My desire for Angelique to be found matched Frankie's, and I was captured by her persistence and tenacity on finding out what happened. I could connect to this part of her character and cheer her on as little by little she unraveled clues and ideas. Even without hightech gadgets, Frankie's findings help move the case along after eleven months of absence and searching. 

Frankie is a strong leader, flawed and fighting her own mental battles but willing to help those in need, make a difference. This story reflects Gardner's other female leads such as Detective D.D. Warren and survivor Flora Dane. Yet, the tone is different. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's a divergent attitude to the whole story. Although the pacing is steady, the plot well-thought out, the character development profound, and the mystery complex, I began to figure out the who and where about half-way through the story. It, also, became apparent that Frankie isn't one to stay immobile or stationary. So, I think we might see her again and continue her story. I would really like to learn what happens to Frankie next and how she evolves. 

This is a solid, well-crafted story with elaborate threads twisting the story among several plots and subplots. These are a few of the reasons why I'm giving Before She Disappeared a 4/5 "really liked it" rating. It is another remarkable read by Lisa Gardner, and I encourage any who are fans of her to give it a read!

Thanks to the Lisa Gardner, Penguin Group/Dutton Group, and NetGalley for an ARC copy to read and review.  

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author