Local Girl Missing
I found the title and premise of this book very interesting and was really pleased to have a chance to download it from Netgalley. There were lots of things I really enjoyed about it and that made it stand out from the rest.
Firstly, I enjoyed the setting very much. I have a bit of a
weakness for out of season holiday towns in the cold of winter and this book
captured it perfectly. As Francesca goes back to her home town to confront the
ghosts of the past, we feel with her the cold of the sea spray and the wind and
rain.
We find out that Francesca’s best friend Sophie went missing
when they were both teenagers and now a body has been found. As Francesca
reconnects with the people and places of her past the story unfolds.
The way that Francesca interacts with people from her past
is also interesting and skilfully done. The significance of some of the things
that happen isn’t what the reader thinks it is.
These twists and turns lead towards some surprising twists
and revelations at the end.
I found this to be a proper page turning read and I read it
in two days while on holiday. The story is told in two strands – a present day
one involving Francesca and one from the past telling Sophie’s story in the
lead up to her disappearance. I found both narratives gripping and cleverly
entwined as the past catches up with the present and the secrets about what
really happened to Sophie are revealed.
An all round enjoyable read with plenty of surprises.
My review copy of this book
was obtained via Netgalley.
You can find out more here.
