Title: Still Missing: A Novel
Author: Chevy Stevens
Year: 2010
Page: 352
Genre: Fiction - Murder / Mystery / Thriller / Suspense
New to me author? Yes
Read this author again? Yes
Tearjerker? No
Where did it take place? Canada
FTC Disclosure: Borrowed from the library
Summary (from goodreads.com):
On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a thirty-two year old Realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever- patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor of the day pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all. Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent captive of a sadistic psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered spirit back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor. The truth doesn’t always set you free.
First Sentence:
you know, Doc, you're not the first shrink I've seen since I got back.
Why did I pick this book?
I had read my good reviews about this book from different blogs. I think Thoughts of Joy's review made me put it on my ever growing TBR list!
My thoughts:
- Very strong voice from the portangonist - I like that! You feel like you really got to know the character. I am the same age as the protagonist, so definitely hit close to home! (Though I am not a Realtor)
- Since I recently read Damaged, which was also sent in Canada and was a book in a similar genre, I got a little mixed up while reading this book (I think both mentioned Vancouver Island?). But then again my mind had been preoccupied with the cat in the past couple of weeks, so I am not paying as much attention as I usually do when I read! Also, the named Berger was mentioned in this book, and it was a name also used in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. So interesting to see these connections! Some people may also find Still Missing a bit too graphic - I'd say it's about the same as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, or slightly less.
- The way the mystery revealed was a bit abrupt. While it wasn't totally expected, it was just revealed too fast and made me question, that's it??
- I wasn't happy with the ending either. It was a bit of a let down and disappointing, and tied things up a bit too perfectly. Hence this is a 4 Stars book to me instead of higher.
- Being abducted was a nightmare no one would want, yet I didn't feel overly emotional about it. I definitely wanted to find out what happened, but I didn't feel as scared as I thought I would
- The book title was very appropriate!! DO NOT read the quote below if you don't want to find out why I thought it was a good title!
Quote:
Doc, it was a flyer with my face on it -- my face -- over the words Missing Realtor. I just kept staring, and until a drop landed on my hand, I wasn't even aware I was crying. Maybe I should put up my own flyers: Still Missing. (p207)
Rating: 4 Stars
Have you read this book?
If you have, I would love to hear what you think! I'll link your review here if you wish!
Challenges: If you have, I would love to hear what you think! I'll link your review here if you wish!
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Posts
I am so upset the bookstore had sold out of this one, I can't wait to read it. I want to read the quote but won't :-)
ReplyDeleteYou got me interested in trying the Girl with the tattoo again, I really want to try that trilogy.
I guess I'm in the "too graphic" camp. For me, the abuse in Girl With a Dragon Tattoo was such a small percentage of the whole that I could bear it while it lasted. But with this, it was practically the whole book! But I'm kind of squeamish in that area. I did think it was well written.
ReplyDeleteI still have this one to review, but I sure loved it. I hadn't reviewed it for so long because there was sthg about this book that bothered me, but I couldn't put my finger to it. But after reading your review, I realized what that was. The ending. I didn't see it coming. It was kind of appropriate. But really, it was unbelievable too. ***BIG SPOILER TO THOSE WHO DIDN'T READ THIS BOOK*** Which parent would let that kidnapping drag on for a year without talking to anyone? Ok, they were greedy for money, they were concerned about their image, but still. Other than that, it was a really good read.
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