I’ve got a Then She Was Gone book summary and review for you, and it’s all about the thrilling novel by Lisa Jewell. If you’re into thriller and suspense novels, this one is a must-read.
If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, Then She Was Gone is a must-read. Lisa Jewell’s writing is sharp and evocative, and she has a knack for creating characters that feel real and relatable. The plot is full of twists and turns, and the emotional depth of the story will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
Honestly, it’s one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read, and it’s definitely a favorite of mine. This was my first time reading a Lisa Jewell book, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. If you’re curious about this gripping story, keep reading!
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Characters:
- Ellie Mack – Ellie is a 15-year-old girl. She is smart, happy, and loved by her family. One day, she disappears, and no one knows what happened to her.
- Laurel Mack – Laurel is Ellie’s mother. She is very sad after Ellie disappears. She tries to find out the truth about her daughter.
- Floyd Dunn – Floyd is a man who meets Laurel years later. He is charming and kind to her. He has a daughter named Poppy.
- Poppy Dunn – Poppy is Floyd’s daughter. She looks a lot like Ellie, which surprises Laurel. She is a smart and unusual child.
- Noelle Donnelly – Noelle is Ellie’s tutor. She is strange and not very friendly. She has a dark secret about Ellie’s disappearance.
- Paul Mack – Paul is Laurel’s ex-husband and Ellie’s father. He is quiet and does not talk much about his feelings. He and Laurel separate after Ellie goes missing.
- Hanna Mack – Hanna is Ellie’s older sister. She is serious and does not show emotions easily. She feels that her mother does not love her as much as Ellie.
- Jake Mack – Jake is Laurel’s son and Ellie’s brother. He does not play a big role in the story. He tries to live a normal life after Ellie disappears.
Then She Was Gone Book Summary
If you love thrillers or are looking to dip your toes into the genre, this is the book for you. Then She Was Gone tells the story of Ellie Mack, a young girl who seems to have it all. She’s adored by her parents, excels in school, and has a bright future ahead of her. The book alternates between two perspectives: Ellie’s as a teenager and her mother Laurel’s, ten years after Ellie’s mysterious disappearance.
Ellie is your typical overachiever—she loves school, has a boyfriend who’s great at math, and even asks her parents for a tutor to improve her own math skills. Her parents, though not well-off, agree because they want the best for her.
Noelle Donnelly is a tutor, a woman in her mid-to-late 20s (her exact age and name escape me, sorry!). At first, everything seems fine. Ellie’s grades improve, and life goes on. But then, the tutor starts acting strange. She becomes oddly obsessed with Ellie, making unsettling comments about how Ellie’s “perfect” life won’t last forever. It’s creepy, to say the least
Ellie eventually decides to stop the tutoring sessions, and her mom, unaware of the tutor’s disturbing behavior, thanks the woman for her services.
Fast forward a bit, and Ellie runs into the tutor again. The tutor offers her some study materials and invites Ellie to her house to pick them up. Against her better judgment, Ellie agrees. And that’s the last anyone sees of her.
Ellie’s disappearance devastates her family. Her mother, Laurel, is consumed by grief and guilt, while the police eventually conclude that Ellie ran away.
Years pass, and Laurel’s life falls apart—her marriage ends, and she becomes emotionally distant from her other children. But ten years later, something unexpected happens. Laurel meets a man named Floyd at a café, and they start a relationship. Floyd has a young daughter named Poppy, who is the spitting image of Ellie.
This discovery reignites Laurel’s hope and curiosity. How could this little girl look so much like her missing daughter? As Laurel digs deeper, she uncovers a shocking truth about Poppy’s origins and what really happened to Ellie.
I won’t spoil everything here, but let’s just say the twists are jaw-dropping.
Expanding on the Plot and Themes
One of the things that makes Then She Was Gone so compelling is its exploration of grief and how it shapes the lives of those left behind. Laurel’s journey is particularly poignant. After Ellie’s disappearance, she becomes a shadow of her former self, unable to connect with her other children or move on with her life. Her relationship with her husband deteriorates, and she isolates herself from the world.
It’s a raw and realistic portrayal of how loss can consume a person, and it adds a layer of emotional depth to the story that sets it apart from typical thrillers.
The dual timelines—Ellie’s life before her disappearance and Laurel’s life ten years later—are expertly woven together. Lisa Jewell keeps the pacing tight, dropping clues and revelations at just the right moments to keep you guessing.
The tension builds steadily, and by the time you reach the climax, it’s impossible to put the book down.
The character of Floyd is another fascinating element of the story. At first, he seems like a kind and charming man, a potential lifeline for Laurel as she tries to rebuild her life. But as the story progresses, cracks begin to appear in his façade. His relationship with Poppy, his daughter, is both heartwarming and unsettling, especially as Laurel begins to uncover the truth about her origins.
Poppy herself is a delightful yet haunting character. Her resemblance to Ellie is uncanny, and it’s impossible not to feel a sense of unease as Laurel grows closer to her. The bond that forms between Laurel and Poppy is both touching and tragic, adding another layer of complexity to the story.
The tutor, is a chilling antagonist. Her obsession with Ellie and her twisted motivations make her a truly memorable villain. The scenes where she interacts with Ellie are some of the most unsettling in the book, and they set the stage for the shocking revelations that come later.
Themes and Takeaways
Then She Was Gone is more than just a thriller—it’s a story about love, loss, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect those they care about. It explores the idea of identity and how it can be shaped by trauma, as well as the enduring bond between a mother and her child.
The book also raises important questions about justice and closure. Laurel’s quest to uncover the truth about Ellie’s disappearance is driven by a desire for answers, but it also forces her to confront painful truths about herself and her family.
The ending of “Then She was gone” is bittersweet, offering a sense of resolution while leaving some questions unanswered.
Spoiler Section
(Proceed with Caution!)
Let me discuss some spoilers for Then She Was Gone.
For those who’ve already read the book or don’t mind spoilers, let’s dive deeper into the shocking revelations.
The tutor, is revealed to be the mastermind behind Ellie’s disappearance. She kidnaps Ellie and keeps her hidden in her basement, using her as a surrogate to bear Floyd’s child. It’s a horrifying twist that adds a new layer of darkness to the story.
Floyd’s role in the tragedy is equally complex. While he’s initially portrayed as a victim of the tutor’s manipulation, it’s later revealed that he played a more active role in covering up the truth. His decision to raise Poppy as his own, despite knowing the circumstances of her birth, raises difficult questions about morality and responsibility.
The ending, where Laurel takes Poppy in and reveals the truth about her origins, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds.
My Review
Then She Was Gone book story is packed with suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. Lisa Jewell does an incredible job of weaving together multiple timelines and perspectives, keeping you hooked until the very end.
The characters are complex, and the plot is both heartbreaking and thrilling.
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Then She Was Gone is it. It’s a masterfully crafted thriller with plenty of twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the final page. Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down.
Then She Was Gone is a masterclass in suspense and storytelling. Lisa Jewell has crafted a novel that’s equal parts thrilling and emotionally resonant, with characters and themes that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Whether you’re a seasoned thriller fan or new to the genre, this book is a must-read.
So, have you read Then She Was Gone? If so, what did you think? Let me know in the comments below! And if you haven’t, I highly recommend adding it to your reading list. Happy reading!
Lisa Jewell is a British author. She was born on July 19, 1968, in London, England. She studied fashion design but later became a writer.
Lisa Jewell writes mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Some of her famous books are The Family Upstairs, Watching You, and The Night She Disappeared. Her books are full of secrets, twists, and surprises.
Then She Was Gone was published in 2017. Lisa Jewell wrote it as a psychological thriller with mystery and suspense.
