Susanne's Reviews > Before She Disappeared

Review also published on blog:https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Frankie Elkins is a troubled middle aged woman, who is on the run from her life. She is a recovering alcoholic who finds missing persons. It’s just something she has been doing for the last ten years of her life.

In “Before She Disappeared” Frankie finds herself in Boston, searching for teenager Angelique Badeau who went missing from her High School eleven months prior.

Though she has no experience or training, somehow, Frankie has a way about her, an ability to make people trust her and get information that the police do not. In addition, she thinks of avenues to explore that the police don’t even consider.

Frankie is a complex character, whose backstory is somewhat compelling. She is kind and strong, yet tormented by her past.

While this book starts out as suspenseful and intriguing, it required this reader to suspend disbelief at Frankie’s ability to solve crimes, given her lack of training. I also found the romance that was brewing between Frankie and the Detective to be a bit rushed. Furthermore, I didn’t buy into Frankie’s background as the reasons for her needing to make things right and thought the novel felt “forced.”

What makes this story enjoyable however, is the writing. It is extremely solid and the character development, as always is very well done.

As a huge fan of Lisa Gardner, the DD Warren and Flora Dane series, unfortunately, this standalone novel didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I therefore hope that the author returns to her tried and true for her next go round.

Thank you to Edelweiss, Penguin Publishing Group - Dutton, and Lisa Gardner for the arc.

Published on Goodreads on 11.22.20.