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The Day She Disappeared
A remote island. A missing girl. A woman with a troubled past.
Becky is back on the tiny island where she was born, the island she swore she’d never return to.
Apart from her former best friend Megan, everyone makes it clear she isn’t wanted. The islanders have long memories. They haven’t forgotten the scandal. What Becky did.
Becky decides to leave as soon as she can. But first she must discover what happened to Violet.
Violet disappeared exactly a year ago, the day of the summer festival. Everyone assumes she ran off to the mainland with her boyfriend. Only her sister believes something more sinister happened to her.
Becky starts to ask questions — and becomes convinced that Violet never left the island. Someone in this remote, suspicious community knows exactly what happened to her. Someone who’s determined to keep the truth hidden — whatever it takes.
As Becky pieces the clues together, she is forced to confront the dark secrets of her own past. But has she got it tragically wrong . . . yet again?
And then another teenage girl goes missing . . .
Becky is back on the tiny island where she was born, the island she swore she’d never return to.
Apart from her former best friend Megan, everyone makes it clear she isn’t wanted. The islanders have long memories. They haven’t forgotten the scandal. What Becky did.
Becky decides to leave as soon as she can. But first she must discover what happened to Violet.
Violet disappeared exactly a year ago, the day of the summer festival. Everyone assumes she ran off to the mainland with her boyfriend. Only her sister believes something more sinister happened to her.
Becky starts to ask questions — and becomes convinced that Violet never left the island. Someone in this remote, suspicious community knows exactly what happened to her. Someone who’s determined to keep the truth hidden — whatever it takes.
As Becky pieces the clues together, she is forced to confront the dark secrets of her own past. But has she got it tragically wrong . . . yet again?
And then another teenage girl goes missing . . .
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2023
973 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
July 23, 2024
This was not my favorite by the author. Honestly, how many bad guys with threatening behavior can there be, that suddenly turn out to be protective instead?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2024
Not my best read of the year. Was easy to predict and there were not any twists that was surprising... Bleh!!
October 10, 2023
Welcome to Kirton,an island off of the coast of Dorset with a small population….who have big unforgiving memories and when Rebecca arrives back after 18 years she finds little has changed,sure there’s a new Bistro and a top of the range coffee machine in the local ‘hive of gossip’ Supermarket but as soon as she steps off the ferry she knows everyone instantly remembers her and what happened the last time she was there……and they intend to make their feelings known….
Full of intrigue,this Whodunit ish thriller deals with secrets,lies,regret and people who are not always as they seem…..add to this a missing Islander from a travelling community based on the island who no one seems to care about and Rebecca’s refusal to be bullied back to London and you have a great read that doesn’t just tick all the boxes but also asks some very poignant questions about society and the differences certain peoples face
I loved the characters we got to meet and loved the imagery the writing gave re the island and what living in a closed community must be like.
As with all books from this author it was an enticing and well written read that I loved and the ending,well the ending will make you shudder…..
Full of intrigue,this Whodunit ish thriller deals with secrets,lies,regret and people who are not always as they seem…..add to this a missing Islander from a travelling community based on the island who no one seems to care about and Rebecca’s refusal to be bullied back to London and you have a great read that doesn’t just tick all the boxes but also asks some very poignant questions about society and the differences certain peoples face
I loved the characters we got to meet and loved the imagery the writing gave re the island and what living in a closed community must be like.
As with all books from this author it was an enticing and well written read that I loved and the ending,well the ending will make you shudder…..
September 15, 2023
Ooof. So let me just say that the first half of The Day She Disappeared was quite intriguing. I was honestly completely invested.
So it pains me to say that I feel like the 2nd half was a giant mess.
The MC, Rebecca, with her neurotic inner dialogue & the frequency with which she questions herself was just preposterous. She lost her mind with her outlandish accusations and her dialogue with others felt so forced, fake and silly.
The countless times vandalism was done to her home and her refusal to call the police…uhmm no gurhh, stop. Wake the hell up ffs.
Her odd relationship with her lover and the fact that she couldn’t see what was so obviously right in front of her face….. just no, smh.
The back half was too convoluted imo. Borderline ridiculous.
But hey. There was even a secret Fight Club in the end🥴
I’m sorry, but this one wasn’t for me.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Pub date: 10.10.23.
So it pains me to say that I feel like the 2nd half was a giant mess.
The MC, Rebecca, with her neurotic inner dialogue & the frequency with which she questions herself was just preposterous. She lost her mind with her outlandish accusations and her dialogue with others felt so forced, fake and silly.
The countless times vandalism was done to her home and her refusal to call the police…uhmm no gurhh, stop. Wake the hell up ffs.
Her odd relationship with her lover and the fact that she couldn’t see what was so obviously right in front of her face….. just no, smh.
The back half was too convoluted imo. Borderline ridiculous.
But hey. There was even a secret Fight Club in the end🥴
I’m sorry, but this one wasn’t for me.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Pub date: 10.10.23.
September 15, 2023
If you love a “thriller”, READ THIS ! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Becky is back on the remote island of Kirton, where she grew up, but not for the best of reasons. Her mother has passed so she needed to return to settle her estate despite the islanders wanting her to stay gone forever. Becky has been gone for 16 years and hasn’t had to face anyone from her scandalous past until now. Becky’s a journalist on the mainland and is hoping to write a book about a missing teenager, (Violet), on the island. In amongst taking care of her moms estate she digs into the missing girls past .
Megan is her best friend, and seems to be one of the few who still seem to support her. Becky befriends a neighbor, Stephen who quickly becomes more than a friend . As Becky is investigating Violets past , she is battered with hatred notes, bricks into her home and pictures of her past left inside from a break in! Who could want her gone from the island so badly ? I had my guesses !
To put a twist into things, another teenager goes missing while Becky is still on the island. This only makes her more inclined to find out who is taking these girls and what has happened to them .
Persuasive! Surprising! On the edge of your seat, anticipation !
I enjoyed the thrilling read and suspense! Lisa did a phenomenal job of keeping the reader engaged.
Thanks to @netgalley and @joffebooks and @Lisahall for this ARC for my honest review!
Can’t wait for the next.
Becky is back on the remote island of Kirton, where she grew up, but not for the best of reasons. Her mother has passed so she needed to return to settle her estate despite the islanders wanting her to stay gone forever. Becky has been gone for 16 years and hasn’t had to face anyone from her scandalous past until now. Becky’s a journalist on the mainland and is hoping to write a book about a missing teenager, (Violet), on the island. In amongst taking care of her moms estate she digs into the missing girls past .
Megan is her best friend, and seems to be one of the few who still seem to support her. Becky befriends a neighbor, Stephen who quickly becomes more than a friend . As Becky is investigating Violets past , she is battered with hatred notes, bricks into her home and pictures of her past left inside from a break in! Who could want her gone from the island so badly ? I had my guesses !
To put a twist into things, another teenager goes missing while Becky is still on the island. This only makes her more inclined to find out who is taking these girls and what has happened to them .
Persuasive! Surprising! On the edge of your seat, anticipation !
I enjoyed the thrilling read and suspense! Lisa did a phenomenal job of keeping the reader engaged.
Thanks to @netgalley and @joffebooks and @Lisahall for this ARC for my honest review!
Can’t wait for the next.
November 20, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
Rebecca returns to Kirton island following her mother’s death and she has been gone for 16 years. This bothered me somewhat, she states several times her mother never forgave her for the big secret that caused her to leave the island, which takes ages to be revealed, but Rebecca never reached out to try to make amends with her own mother and later is revealed her mom couldn’t have contacted her on her own due to another mistake made by Rebecca. While she is there she decides to write about Violet a local missing teenager who most people act like she ran away, which also seemed strange to me. Her “friend” Megan isn’t really much of a friend and I found to be quite unlikeable, didn’t add much to the story for me but annoyance. Rebecca starts a romance with the neighbor Stephen while she is there and does a lot of sleuth work on her own that seemed like she needed the police but didn’t call them. I saw the bad guy from a mile away but won’t spoil anything.
Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced electronic reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rebecca returns to Kirton island following her mother’s death and she has been gone for 16 years. This bothered me somewhat, she states several times her mother never forgave her for the big secret that caused her to leave the island, which takes ages to be revealed, but Rebecca never reached out to try to make amends with her own mother and later is revealed her mom couldn’t have contacted her on her own due to another mistake made by Rebecca. While she is there she decides to write about Violet a local missing teenager who most people act like she ran away, which also seemed strange to me. Her “friend” Megan isn’t really much of a friend and I found to be quite unlikeable, didn’t add much to the story for me but annoyance. Rebecca starts a romance with the neighbor Stephen while she is there and does a lot of sleuth work on her own that seemed like she needed the police but didn’t call them. I saw the bad guy from a mile away but won’t spoil anything.
Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced electronic reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 16, 2023
The Day She Disappeared by Lisa Hall is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story follows the disappearance of a young woman and the search for answers that follow.
As the story unfolded, I found myself constantly guessing and second-guessing who was responsible for the disappearance, and what their motivations might be. There were several twists and turns that I did not see coming, and the conclusion was both satisfying and unexpected.
The setting of the novel, a remote island community, adds an extra layer of mystery and intrigue to the story. The characters are well-developed and realistic, and their motivations and actions are believable. The relationships between the characters are complex and add depth to the story.
Overall, I highly recommend The Day She Disappeared to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with plenty of suspense and intrigue. Lisa Hall is definitely an author to watch in the psychological thriller genre.
Thank you to Zoé from ZooLoo Book Tours and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
As the story unfolded, I found myself constantly guessing and second-guessing who was responsible for the disappearance, and what their motivations might be. There were several twists and turns that I did not see coming, and the conclusion was both satisfying and unexpected.
The setting of the novel, a remote island community, adds an extra layer of mystery and intrigue to the story. The characters are well-developed and realistic, and their motivations and actions are believable. The relationships between the characters are complex and add depth to the story.
Overall, I highly recommend The Day She Disappeared to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with plenty of suspense and intrigue. Lisa Hall is definitely an author to watch in the psychological thriller genre.
Thank you to Zoé from ZooLoo Book Tours and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
September 16, 2023
A very good thriller that had a good storyline, had creepy parts, and lots of suspense until the very end. The characters were believable, as was the story. You cry wolf once and then you won’t be believed again and I like that this was the case in the storyline. I enjoyed the pace of the book, and it had me turning the pages quicker towards the end. I did work out who the perpetrator was around the 75% mark, but it didn’t ruin the story for me in anyway.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 11, 2023
Hear me out folks...
I know I read a lot
I know my excitement is usually over the top... intense
BUT
The Day She Disappeared, is one I can't help but brag about!!!!
This is a book you call a "one sitter". There is no way once you start you will be able to put this one down and will easily finish in one sitting.
The Day She Disappeared, has rocked my world and left my jaw on the floor.
Talk about twisted? This book is pure shock factor.
Check out this teaser :
A remote island. A missing girl. A woman with a troubled past.
Becky is back on the tiny island where she was born, the island she swore she’d never return to.
Apart from her former best friend Megan, everyone makes it clear she isn’t wanted. The islanders have long memories. They haven’t forgotten the scandal. What Becky did.
Becky decides to leave as soon as she can. But first she must discover what happened to Violet.
Violet disappeared exactly a year ago, the day of the summer festival. Everyone assumes she ran off to the mainland with her boyfriend. Only her sister believes something more sinister happened to her.
Becky starts to ask questions — and becomes convinced that Violet never left the island. Someone in this remote, suspicious community knows exactly what happened to her. Someone who’s determined to keep the truth hidden — whatever it takes.
As Becky pieces the clues together, she is forced to confront the dark secrets of her own past. But has she got it tragically wrong . . . yet again?
And then another teenage girl goes missing . . .
I know I read a lot
I know my excitement is usually over the top... intense
BUT
The Day She Disappeared, is one I can't help but brag about!!!!
This is a book you call a "one sitter". There is no way once you start you will be able to put this one down and will easily finish in one sitting.
The Day She Disappeared, has rocked my world and left my jaw on the floor.
Talk about twisted? This book is pure shock factor.
Check out this teaser :
A remote island. A missing girl. A woman with a troubled past.
Becky is back on the tiny island where she was born, the island she swore she’d never return to.
Apart from her former best friend Megan, everyone makes it clear she isn’t wanted. The islanders have long memories. They haven’t forgotten the scandal. What Becky did.
Becky decides to leave as soon as she can. But first she must discover what happened to Violet.
Violet disappeared exactly a year ago, the day of the summer festival. Everyone assumes she ran off to the mainland with her boyfriend. Only her sister believes something more sinister happened to her.
Becky starts to ask questions — and becomes convinced that Violet never left the island. Someone in this remote, suspicious community knows exactly what happened to her. Someone who’s determined to keep the truth hidden — whatever it takes.
As Becky pieces the clues together, she is forced to confront the dark secrets of her own past. But has she got it tragically wrong . . . yet again?
And then another teenage girl goes missing . . .
September 8, 2023
Welcome to Kirton, a secluded island just off the Dorset coast, inhabited by a close-knit community with long-lasting memories. When Rebecca returns after 18 years, she quickly realizes that very little has changed. Sure, there's a new bistro and a state-of-the-art coffee machine at the local gossip hub, the supermarket. But the moment she steps off the ferry, it becomes evident that everyone remembers her and the events of her previous visit.
This gripping thriller revolves around secrets, lies, regret, and the hidden facets of people's lives. It also adds a layer of mystery with the disappearance of an islander from a traveling community based on the island, a disappearance that seems to go unnoticed. Rebecca refuses to be intimidated into returning to London, and in doing so, she uncovers a tale that not only checks all the boxes for a thrilling whodunit but also raises thought-provoking questions about society and the disparities certain individuals face.
I found myself enamored with the well-crafted characters we encounter in this story and appreciated how the writing vividly portrays the island and the unique experience of living in a tightly-knit community. True to the author's style, this book is captivating, excellently written, and kept me engrossed throughout. As for the ending, well, it will send shivers down your spine.
This gripping thriller revolves around secrets, lies, regret, and the hidden facets of people's lives. It also adds a layer of mystery with the disappearance of an islander from a traveling community based on the island, a disappearance that seems to go unnoticed. Rebecca refuses to be intimidated into returning to London, and in doing so, she uncovers a tale that not only checks all the boxes for a thrilling whodunit but also raises thought-provoking questions about society and the disparities certain individuals face.
I found myself enamored with the well-crafted characters we encounter in this story and appreciated how the writing vividly portrays the island and the unique experience of living in a tightly-knit community. True to the author's style, this book is captivating, excellently written, and kept me engrossed throughout. As for the ending, well, it will send shivers down your spine.
October 12, 2023
Sixteen years ago Becky left her childhood home on Kirton Island swearing never to go back, but now, after a call from her best friend Megan telling her that she needs to come back as her mum is ill, she returns and everyone makes it clear she's not wanted, they can't forget what she did, the reason why she left but Becky has things to do and as a journalist and a true crime writer she refuses to go until she has found out what happened to Violet, a young girl who disappeared a year ago believed to have run away to the mainland, a theory her sister Ivy is convinced is not true. When Becky starts asking questions she is certain someone in the community knows the truth and will do anything to keep it hidden.
The Day She Disappeared is the latest thriller by Hall, set just off the coast of Dorset, the story is told from Becky's perspective and across two timelines, the present day and her teenage years where everything went wrong. This was a typical case of crying wolf and nobody is ever going to believe you if it wasn't true the first time, even if you have some evidence to back it up this time round. It's an intriguing plot with some tense moments, a little slow through the first half of the book but soon picked up later on and was brought to a very satisfactory ending with that cliffhanger. I did guess who the perpetrator was around half way through but this didn't, in any way, detract from my enjoyment of the book.
I'd like to thank Joffe Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
The Day She Disappeared is the latest thriller by Hall, set just off the coast of Dorset, the story is told from Becky's perspective and across two timelines, the present day and her teenage years where everything went wrong. This was a typical case of crying wolf and nobody is ever going to believe you if it wasn't true the first time, even if you have some evidence to back it up this time round. It's an intriguing plot with some tense moments, a little slow through the first half of the book but soon picked up later on and was brought to a very satisfactory ending with that cliffhanger. I did guess who the perpetrator was around half way through but this didn't, in any way, detract from my enjoyment of the book.
I'd like to thank Joffe Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
September 14, 2023
The Day She Disappeared by Lisa Hall was terrific! It was one of those books you cannot put down, even if you try. It's the story of Rebecca "Becky" Gannon, successful London author, who hasn't been home to Kirton Island in 16 years. She hasn't been back in over a decade because of a terrible tragedy that Rebecca feels personably responsible! "The secret" is always looming, always surrounding her, but the reader doesn't know what it is! Becky returns home to see her sick mother, but she is too late, her mother dies before she can say "goodbye." Early on in her homecoming Becky is shown, in many different ways, that she isn't wanted on the small touristy island. There are a series of threats made to Becky to intimidate her, to send her away and keep her from working on her new novel about women and girls who've disappeared. Conveniently enough, Kirton has it's own missing girl case. While she readies her mother's house for sale, she starts working on the mysterious disappearance of Ivy Monroe, Becky becomes suspicious of everyone who could have possibly been involved. Are townspeople being hostile to Becky because of her own blemished past or are they involved with Ivy, the young girl who disappeared after a school function so many months ago? Throughout the book you wonder if Rebecca and Megan, who were the best of friends 16 years ago, will be able to repair their damaged relationship. Megan understandably has some resentment about her friend leaving for London and never being heard from again. Will Rebecca and Stephen embark on the serious, committed relationship she so deeply desires? The whole town of Kirton knows Rebecca's secrets, but eventually Rebecca will uncover the secrets of the people in her small community and discover the evil that resides there.
Of course in every murder mystery there's a 'who done it' to be revealed, but Lisa Hall does an amazing job of keeping the reader second guessing everyone! I suspected every single character for the abduction and/or murder of Ivy Monroe. Ms. Hall does a great job of keeping Rebecca's secret from the reader, until she's ready to dramatically reveal it. "I am going back.....(to) the Island that I swore blind I never would, could never return to, not after what happened, what I did."
Thank you Net Galley, Joffe Books, and Lisa Hall for the opportunity to read this eARC and provide an honest review. Readers, do yourself a favor and give this book a read, you won't be disappointed! Publication day coming this October 9th, 2023!
Of course in every murder mystery there's a 'who done it' to be revealed, but Lisa Hall does an amazing job of keeping the reader second guessing everyone! I suspected every single character for the abduction and/or murder of Ivy Monroe. Ms. Hall does a great job of keeping Rebecca's secret from the reader, until she's ready to dramatically reveal it. "I am going back.....(to) the Island that I swore blind I never would, could never return to, not after what happened, what I did."
Thank you Net Galley, Joffe Books, and Lisa Hall for the opportunity to read this eARC and provide an honest review. Readers, do yourself a favor and give this book a read, you won't be disappointed! Publication day coming this October 9th, 2023!
September 19, 2023
The Day She Disappeared
Written by Lisa Hall
Publisher Joffre Books
Release Date October 10, 2023
Genre Mystery/Thriller
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 4/5
Suspense: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5
“ A remote island. A missing girl. A woman with a troubled past”
Rebecca “Becoy” Gannon has a past that some people will never forget. Like the islanders who live on the island that Becky grew up on. The same island she has had to return to even though she swore she would never go back to it. The islanders however, do not want her back just as much as she does not want to be back. The scandal that caused Becky to leave is still fresh in their minds.
She does have one ally though. Her former best friend Megan still wants to have a relationship with her. Yet Becky still feels as though she needs to leave the island. There is a mystery though. One that Becky hopes to solve before she hightails it out of there. A young woman named Violet went missing a year ago. People think she just ran off with her boyfriend and left the island where her family lives. Violet’s sister thinks something much more sinister has happened. Violet would have called her by now.
Becky soon realizes after asking questions that Violet most likely never left the island at all. AND, someone knows more than they are saying about her whereabouts. The truth is going to stay a secret no matter what. Yet as Becky continues her search, she must look into her past as well. The scandal….. what happened? Can Becky figure out if her hunch is right, or has she tragically got everything wrong?
This is a new to me author and I was greatly impressed with how the author builds up the suspense with each chapter. The characters are developed and work well together. I was fully engaged from page one and cannot think of anything that could have been done differently. The ending was not at all what I expected and threw me for a loop. I honestly thought I knew the outcome a few times and each time I was wrong. If you enjoy mystery novels, then you will certainly enjoy this one. The only con I have is the pacing of some of the chapters. While most safe fast paced and are fluid, there are a few that tend to drag a bit. Not so terrible in the scheme of things. The author has taken great care to make sure the reader is engrossed and entertained while also not leaving any bread crumbs to make it easier to figure out the ending. Those are the books I love and this one has been added to my favorites.
5 stars
Written by Lisa Hall
Publisher Joffre Books
Release Date October 10, 2023
Genre Mystery/Thriller
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 4/5
Suspense: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5
“ A remote island. A missing girl. A woman with a troubled past”
Rebecca “Becoy” Gannon has a past that some people will never forget. Like the islanders who live on the island that Becky grew up on. The same island she has had to return to even though she swore she would never go back to it. The islanders however, do not want her back just as much as she does not want to be back. The scandal that caused Becky to leave is still fresh in their minds.
She does have one ally though. Her former best friend Megan still wants to have a relationship with her. Yet Becky still feels as though she needs to leave the island. There is a mystery though. One that Becky hopes to solve before she hightails it out of there. A young woman named Violet went missing a year ago. People think she just ran off with her boyfriend and left the island where her family lives. Violet’s sister thinks something much more sinister has happened. Violet would have called her by now.
Becky soon realizes after asking questions that Violet most likely never left the island at all. AND, someone knows more than they are saying about her whereabouts. The truth is going to stay a secret no matter what. Yet as Becky continues her search, she must look into her past as well. The scandal….. what happened? Can Becky figure out if her hunch is right, or has she tragically got everything wrong?
This is a new to me author and I was greatly impressed with how the author builds up the suspense with each chapter. The characters are developed and work well together. I was fully engaged from page one and cannot think of anything that could have been done differently. The ending was not at all what I expected and threw me for a loop. I honestly thought I knew the outcome a few times and each time I was wrong. If you enjoy mystery novels, then you will certainly enjoy this one. The only con I have is the pacing of some of the chapters. While most safe fast paced and are fluid, there are a few that tend to drag a bit. Not so terrible in the scheme of things. The author has taken great care to make sure the reader is engrossed and entertained while also not leaving any bread crumbs to make it easier to figure out the ending. Those are the books I love and this one has been added to my favorites.
5 stars
October 6, 2023
Rebecca “Becky” Gannon receives a call from her childhood friend Megan Brazil telling her she needs to come back home as her mom is very ill with cancer and doesn’t have much time left. Becky is not anxious to come back to the island of Kirton, the island she grew up on and ran away from 16 years ago after making a dreadful mistake. A mistake that was unforgivable and that still haunts Becky to this day.
Upon arrival on the island of Kirton Becky finds out her mother has passed before her arrival. Becky is devastated but decides to stay on the island and settle her mother’s affairs. As expected Becky does not receive a comforting welcome from the habitants of the island she knew growing up.
Becky left the island and was moved to London to become a journalist and get a fresh start at life. Becky convinces her boss to let her have time off for her mother’s burial and to find out what happened to a missing girl named Ivy Monroe who disappeared from the island a year ago. Becky is a journalist turned true crime book author. Becky comes to the island and starts to stir up dust and upsets the locals by asking questions about Ivy’s disappearance.
As Becky starts uncovering what happened to Ivy Monroe. A lot of violence and warnings start coming her way from a mysterious source telling her to get off the island and threatening her. Will Becky give in and leave the island or will she stay and find out what happened to Ivy. When another local girl goes missing that is close to Becky. Will she stay and fight till the end or will she just give up and leave the island.
I loved the first half of this book, to be honest I was able to figure out who the perpetrator was about half way thought the book almost st the beginning I had my suspicions but it was confirmed at the midway point. I felt like the ending was drawn out a bit and that Becky’s character appeared as a damsel in distress that couldn’t make a conscious thought for herself. I would give this book a solid 3 stars just because I felt it went off plot towards the ending. I will admit I didn’t suspect the very last sentence of the book. However, the ending to me felt like a cliffhanger. Could this mean another book? Or are we just left to contemplate what we think is going to happen?
This is my unbiased opinion of The Day She Disappeared. Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the chance at this ARC.
Upon arrival on the island of Kirton Becky finds out her mother has passed before her arrival. Becky is devastated but decides to stay on the island and settle her mother’s affairs. As expected Becky does not receive a comforting welcome from the habitants of the island she knew growing up.
Becky left the island and was moved to London to become a journalist and get a fresh start at life. Becky convinces her boss to let her have time off for her mother’s burial and to find out what happened to a missing girl named Ivy Monroe who disappeared from the island a year ago. Becky is a journalist turned true crime book author. Becky comes to the island and starts to stir up dust and upsets the locals by asking questions about Ivy’s disappearance.
As Becky starts uncovering what happened to Ivy Monroe. A lot of violence and warnings start coming her way from a mysterious source telling her to get off the island and threatening her. Will Becky give in and leave the island or will she stay and find out what happened to Ivy. When another local girl goes missing that is close to Becky. Will she stay and fight till the end or will she just give up and leave the island.
I loved the first half of this book, to be honest I was able to figure out who the perpetrator was about half way thought the book almost st the beginning I had my suspicions but it was confirmed at the midway point. I felt like the ending was drawn out a bit and that Becky’s character appeared as a damsel in distress that couldn’t make a conscious thought for herself. I would give this book a solid 3 stars just because I felt it went off plot towards the ending. I will admit I didn’t suspect the very last sentence of the book. However, the ending to me felt like a cliffhanger. Could this mean another book? Or are we just left to contemplate what we think is going to happen?
This is my unbiased opinion of The Day She Disappeared. Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the chance at this ARC.
September 6, 2023
Thank you to Lisa Hall, Joffe Books, and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Day She Disappeared had everything you need from a thriller. There was a level of suspense that had me feeling eerie throughout certain parts. This story follows Rebecca, a writer who returns back to her hometown Kirton, that is a small, isolated island, after being gone for 18 years because her mother has become ill. When she returns, she finds that everyone isn't very welcoming because they remember her and what she did before she left. While everyone is making their feelings known, Rebecca decides to occupy her time by looking into a missing girl case that correlates with the topic of her next novel. However, she finds that trying to get information about the girl and all who knew her, leads to learning the secrets of others, lies, and the threat of revealing the truth about what she did before she left all those years ago. This story covers regret, grief, betrayal, mistakes, and second chances. Lisa Hall was excellent at describing the scenery of the island, and I felt transported there. The way she expresses the emotions Rebecca was feeling, I felt as though I was feeling them as well.
I gave this book four stars because I was able to guess the twisted ending before it happened. However, I still enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller!
This review will be posted on my Goodreads account on 9/6/2023 and will be posted to my Booksta account on 9/11/23.
The Day She Disappeared had everything you need from a thriller. There was a level of suspense that had me feeling eerie throughout certain parts. This story follows Rebecca, a writer who returns back to her hometown Kirton, that is a small, isolated island, after being gone for 18 years because her mother has become ill. When she returns, she finds that everyone isn't very welcoming because they remember her and what she did before she left. While everyone is making their feelings known, Rebecca decides to occupy her time by looking into a missing girl case that correlates with the topic of her next novel. However, she finds that trying to get information about the girl and all who knew her, leads to learning the secrets of others, lies, and the threat of revealing the truth about what she did before she left all those years ago. This story covers regret, grief, betrayal, mistakes, and second chances. Lisa Hall was excellent at describing the scenery of the island, and I felt transported there. The way she expresses the emotions Rebecca was feeling, I felt as though I was feeling them as well.
I gave this book four stars because I was able to guess the twisted ending before it happened. However, I still enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller!
This review will be posted on my Goodreads account on 9/6/2023 and will be posted to my Booksta account on 9/11/23.
September 5, 2023
As much as The Day She Disappeared is a thriller, it also shines a light beautifully on past regrets and mistakes as well as grief.
Rebecca Gannon left the small island of Kirton when she was eighteen and never looked back. Due to scandal, the people of the island were all too happy to see her go. Following the death of her mother sixteen years later, Rebecca is forced to return. The people of the island are anything but welcoming, and when Rebecca starts to poke her nose into the disappearance of a young woman, the islanders see it as Rebecca stirring up trouble once again.
This was a good book! It was a bit of slow burn in the beginning, but I found it incredibly captivating as the story picked up in the second half of the book. Rebecca was a complex character who I felt for at times and disliked at others. The rest of the characters were individual with strong personalities that I enjoyed. The plot was interesting!
My only complaints would be that some of the chapters can get repetitive especially in the beginning. I also did guess all the twists before the ending, but it was still very good. I would recommend.
Rebecca Gannon left the small island of Kirton when she was eighteen and never looked back. Due to scandal, the people of the island were all too happy to see her go. Following the death of her mother sixteen years later, Rebecca is forced to return. The people of the island are anything but welcoming, and when Rebecca starts to poke her nose into the disappearance of a young woman, the islanders see it as Rebecca stirring up trouble once again.
This was a good book! It was a bit of slow burn in the beginning, but I found it incredibly captivating as the story picked up in the second half of the book. Rebecca was a complex character who I felt for at times and disliked at others. The rest of the characters were individual with strong personalities that I enjoyed. The plot was interesting!
My only complaints would be that some of the chapters can get repetitive especially in the beginning. I also did guess all the twists before the ending, but it was still very good. I would recommend.
October 1, 2023
Thank you to @zooloosbooktours and @lisahall for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I have to say I was kept guessing the whole time reading The Day She Disappeared.
Becky is the main character. She left her little Island home when she was a teenager. She vowed to never return. Sixteen years later….. a childhood friend calls Becky to tell her that her mother isn’t doing well.
Can Becky find peace with her past? How will people react to her return?
All the characters have secrets galore….and they will everything they can to keep it that way.
There were quite a few twists and turns in the story I did not see coming.
Overall, an engaging and intriguing story that kept me reading late into the night.
This is my first book to read written by LIsa Hall. I enjoyed her writing style and hope to read more books from her.
@shortbookthyme
I have to say I was kept guessing the whole time reading The Day She Disappeared.
Becky is the main character. She left her little Island home when she was a teenager. She vowed to never return. Sixteen years later….. a childhood friend calls Becky to tell her that her mother isn’t doing well.
Can Becky find peace with her past? How will people react to her return?
All the characters have secrets galore….and they will everything they can to keep it that way.
There were quite a few twists and turns in the story I did not see coming.
Overall, an engaging and intriguing story that kept me reading late into the night.
This is my first book to read written by LIsa Hall. I enjoyed her writing style and hope to read more books from her.
@shortbookthyme
October 10, 2023
Another great psychological thriller by Lisa Hall and one that kept me guessing until (almost) the end!
The setting on an island off the English coast gave it a claustrophobic quality as, although there’s a way off, the weather can cause you to be cut off completely which always adds to the suspense.
In such a tight knit community where everyone knows everyone it’s so easy to become the outsider when you start throwing accusations around as Rebecca knows all too well when she left Kirton originally when she was 17.
I enjoyed the fact there was always more than one suspect and Rebecca’s opinions and actions schemes towards them all changed the deeper she got into her investigation.
I’ve been struggling to pick up anything to keep my attention recently and this one certainly helped!
The setting on an island off the English coast gave it a claustrophobic quality as, although there’s a way off, the weather can cause you to be cut off completely which always adds to the suspense.
In such a tight knit community where everyone knows everyone it’s so easy to become the outsider when you start throwing accusations around as Rebecca knows all too well when she left Kirton originally when she was 17.
I enjoyed the fact there was always more than one suspect and Rebecca’s opinions and actions schemes towards them all changed the deeper she got into her investigation.
I’ve been struggling to pick up anything to keep my attention recently and this one certainly helped!
December 22, 2023
3.5 stars
16 years ago, Becky left her hometown on Kirton Island to escape her past, then following a call from her childhood friend, she is forced to return. The locals, however, have not forgotten her or her mistakes, and she is looked down upon by many. Despite this, Becky keeps herself occupied with investigating the disappearance of another local girl, Violet, who most assume simply ran away, but Becky believes there is something more sinister going on at Kirton Island.
There were lots of twists in this book that kept me gripped, however it felt a bit long and repetitive due to the constant mention of how disliked Becky is by everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Joffe Books for the ARC!
16 years ago, Becky left her hometown on Kirton Island to escape her past, then following a call from her childhood friend, she is forced to return. The locals, however, have not forgotten her or her mistakes, and she is looked down upon by many. Despite this, Becky keeps herself occupied with investigating the disappearance of another local girl, Violet, who most assume simply ran away, but Becky believes there is something more sinister going on at Kirton Island.
There were lots of twists in this book that kept me gripped, however it felt a bit long and repetitive due to the constant mention of how disliked Becky is by everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Joffe Books for the ARC!
October 11, 2023
The Day She Disappeared was my first time reading a book by Lisa Hall and it certainly won't be my last. I really enjoyed how engaging and atmospheric her writing style is and the story kept me intrigued from the very first page. The edge of your seat anticipation didnt let go and kept me guessing until the last gut wrenching twist. I couldn't put it down and found myself reading well into the night to find out how this one was going to end.
October 15, 2023
The Day She Disappeared by Lisa Hall.
Sixteen years ago Becky told a lie. And someone died. Now she’s back on the tiny island off the windswept Dorset coast where she grew up. The place she swore she’d never return to. She is home for her mum’s funeral.
I did enjoy this book. Little slow to begin with but I soon got into it. I did like Becky. I didn't see that coming. Gripping and twisty and tense. 5*.
Sixteen years ago Becky told a lie. And someone died. Now she’s back on the tiny island off the windswept Dorset coast where she grew up. The place she swore she’d never return to. She is home for her mum’s funeral.
I did enjoy this book. Little slow to begin with but I soon got into it. I did like Becky. I didn't see that coming. Gripping and twisty and tense. 5*.
January 6, 2025
Ridiculous and irritating. I’ll be avoiding this author in the future. I guess it kept me wanting to reach the end to find out if my suspicions were correct (yes, they all were, and that’s not because I’m particularly good at guessing) and there’s nothing offensive so it’s not a one star read but wow this really isn’t great.
October 19, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed The Day She Disappeared.
It was full of intrigue and had some great twists.
It was very well written and I loved the small island community atmosphere. Becky was an interesting and mysterious main character. With the rest of the characters, I really wasn't sure who to trust, which just made the book more intriguing.
The final couple of twists were unexpected and really surprised me.
I highly recommend.
5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed The Day She Disappeared.
It was full of intrigue and had some great twists.
It was very well written and I loved the small island community atmosphere. Becky was an interesting and mysterious main character. With the rest of the characters, I really wasn't sure who to trust, which just made the book more intriguing.
The final couple of twists were unexpected and really surprised me.
I highly recommend.
5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 6, 2024
Oooooooo do I love a thriller with a cliff hanger ending.
Lisa Hall tells the story of Becky, whom left her home island 16 years ago and after her absence she returns upon the death of her mother. Upon returning she stumbles upon the story of a missing girl, that while the entire town is convinced she ran away… she does not.
I enjoyed this story but something felt a little off for me. Probably the relationship between Megan and Becky, I don’t quite understand the dynamic nor do I understand how Becky has not talked to her mother in 16 years. Alas the story is still a good read
Lisa Hall tells the story of Becky, whom left her home island 16 years ago and after her absence she returns upon the death of her mother. Upon returning she stumbles upon the story of a missing girl, that while the entire town is convinced she ran away… she does not.
I enjoyed this story but something felt a little off for me. Probably the relationship between Megan and Becky, I don’t quite understand the dynamic nor do I understand how Becky has not talked to her mother in 16 years. Alas the story is still a good read
June 11, 2024
Really gripping but I definitely have some issues with the book…. Such as the main character is kinda cool but also how wrong can one person be…?! She did redeem herself slightly but still….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2023
A remote island...a missing girl...a woman with a troubled past....
Firstly, let me just say that ending - WOW! It was creepy, it was disturbing, it was brilliant! And left me feeling completely satisfied upon turning the final page. If only the rest of the book was like that. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it for the most part but I felt it dragged out far too much from the beginning in the build up. And there were too many annoying characters - who else was there to suspect?
Welcome to Kirton, a secluded island off the south coast of Dorset; population, small enough to have long memories. Rebecca Gannon grew up on Kirton but left when she was 18, escaping to London where she pursued a career in journalism and became a successfully published author. But she left Kirton under a cloud. So when her best friend Megan calls to tell her that her mother is ill, begging her to come home, Becky takes some indefinite compassionate leave and heads back to where it all began.
But as soon as she steps off the ferry, Becky can feel the frosty reception from the community. The islanders have long memories and they do not want Becky back...almost as much as she doesn't want to be back. Never mind that she arrived too late to see her mother, who passed before she was able to see her one last time. And so she has the arduous task of packing up her childhood home and putting it on the market. And only then can she leave the island.
But while she is here, Becky decides to look into the disappearance of teenager Violet Monroe who went missing the year before after the summer festival. The island are divided as to what really happened. Most believe she caught the ferry and ran away but her sister is adamant that Violet would not just up and leave. And then Becky stumbles onto some interesting information...the day she was last seen there were no ferries running that night because of the storm. So Violet could not have left the island. Which means she is still here somewhere. The question is, where? And what happened to her?
Becky is determined to uncover the truth and get closure for Violet's family but will it be to her detriment when her past is about to come back and bite her? I mean, cry wolf one too many times and no one will believe you. But is Becky ready for the truth?
So this was a slow burn, a bit too slow in my opinion that I almost gave up on it. I'm glad I didn't because it ended up a great read for the last 60%. And that ending is deserving of another star as I was going to rate it a 3 but it is deserving of a 4 with that deliciously disturbing twist at the end. I will say I wasn't surprised by the villain. In fact, I had them pegged almost from the first thinking it was so obvious it was screaming at us. But everyone else on the island was blind and hardly anyone was likeable, which made it hard to root for anyone. And Megan? My gosh, for someone who was supposed to be Becky's best friend she was a b****. Letting her take the blame for something she was guilty of. And then still blaming her! Becky, ditch her and leave the island. None of them are worth the trouble.
I did like the setting. A remote island is always an atmospheric setting for a sinister and creepy thriller. It bore some resemblance to another one I can't think the name of which was also set on a remote island off the coast of Dorset or Devon or somewhere along there, with the main character returning with a big secret etc. But that one uncovered buried remains in their garden if I recall. It was some years ago so I really can't remember the title or the author but when I began this book I began to get a sense of deja vu. Much like Becky...she was continually getting the sense of deja vu with every chapter it became a little repetitive.
But overall, while it was initially a slow burn, it did pan out into a thrilling read with creepy connotations and a deliciously disturbing twist.
I would like to thank #LisaHall, #Netgalley, #JoffeBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheDaySheDisappeared in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Firstly, let me just say that ending - WOW! It was creepy, it was disturbing, it was brilliant! And left me feeling completely satisfied upon turning the final page. If only the rest of the book was like that. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it for the most part but I felt it dragged out far too much from the beginning in the build up. And there were too many annoying characters - who else was there to suspect?
Welcome to Kirton, a secluded island off the south coast of Dorset; population, small enough to have long memories. Rebecca Gannon grew up on Kirton but left when she was 18, escaping to London where she pursued a career in journalism and became a successfully published author. But she left Kirton under a cloud. So when her best friend Megan calls to tell her that her mother is ill, begging her to come home, Becky takes some indefinite compassionate leave and heads back to where it all began.
But as soon as she steps off the ferry, Becky can feel the frosty reception from the community. The islanders have long memories and they do not want Becky back...almost as much as she doesn't want to be back. Never mind that she arrived too late to see her mother, who passed before she was able to see her one last time. And so she has the arduous task of packing up her childhood home and putting it on the market. And only then can she leave the island.
But while she is here, Becky decides to look into the disappearance of teenager Violet Monroe who went missing the year before after the summer festival. The island are divided as to what really happened. Most believe she caught the ferry and ran away but her sister is adamant that Violet would not just up and leave. And then Becky stumbles onto some interesting information...the day she was last seen there were no ferries running that night because of the storm. So Violet could not have left the island. Which means she is still here somewhere. The question is, where? And what happened to her?
Becky is determined to uncover the truth and get closure for Violet's family but will it be to her detriment when her past is about to come back and bite her? I mean, cry wolf one too many times and no one will believe you. But is Becky ready for the truth?
So this was a slow burn, a bit too slow in my opinion that I almost gave up on it. I'm glad I didn't because it ended up a great read for the last 60%. And that ending is deserving of another star as I was going to rate it a 3 but it is deserving of a 4 with that deliciously disturbing twist at the end. I will say I wasn't surprised by the villain. In fact, I had them pegged almost from the first thinking it was so obvious it was screaming at us. But everyone else on the island was blind and hardly anyone was likeable, which made it hard to root for anyone. And Megan? My gosh, for someone who was supposed to be Becky's best friend she was a b****. Letting her take the blame for something she was guilty of. And then still blaming her! Becky, ditch her and leave the island. None of them are worth the trouble.
I did like the setting. A remote island is always an atmospheric setting for a sinister and creepy thriller. It bore some resemblance to another one I can't think the name of which was also set on a remote island off the coast of Dorset or Devon or somewhere along there, with the main character returning with a big secret etc. But that one uncovered buried remains in their garden if I recall. It was some years ago so I really can't remember the title or the author but when I began this book I began to get a sense of deja vu. Much like Becky...she was continually getting the sense of deja vu with every chapter it became a little repetitive.
But overall, while it was initially a slow burn, it did pan out into a thrilling read with creepy connotations and a deliciously disturbing twist.
I would like to thank #LisaHall, #Netgalley, #JoffeBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheDaySheDisappeared in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 26, 2023
I am big fan of this author you know it's going to be addictive from page 1. Rebecca gets the phone call of her old friend. Megan, she calls her old name Becky. she is successful. writer she left her old town. A scandal and has never gone back to the island but she has to now her mum is dying. when she goes back it's too late. the people of the village still have anger to her and a young girl has gone missing.no one cares because Violet. is from a Travellers site. And Rebecca will do anything to find the missing girl. a very gripping read
October 10, 2023
‘The Day She Disappeared’ is an engaging and engrossing tale which I devoured in one sitting! I had recently read ‘The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black’ and I was looking forward to diving into this one and it did not disappoint. This was very different in its feel but it was full of tension and twists and turns.
When Becky receives a call from her former best friend telling her that her mother is about to die she returns to the tiny island on which she was born. For the first time in 16 years. Apart from her former best friend Megan everyone makes it clear that she isn't welcome. The Islanders have long memories and they remember the scandal. But she is also on the island for work as she needs to find out what happened to a missing girl called Violet who disappeared a year ago on the day of the Summer Festival. Everyone assumes she has run off to the mainland but only her sister believes that something else happened. That she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Becky believes that she never left the island and that something sinister has happened.
This a great example of someone having to face their past mistakes, especially in stressful and painful circumstances. Becky is a character I wanted to like but I just didn't take to her. But I'm not sure that the reader is meant to really. As the book progressed I did begin to thaw a little but there was so many times I was shouting in my head at her for her silly mistakes! However, she was really determined to figure out what happened to Violet even if it was for selfish reasons.
The author managed to create a brilliant sense of location and it really felt as if you were just dropped into a world you were already aware of. The pacing of the book was superb and it really did ramp up to its explosive ending. Did I guess who it was? Yes, but getting to see the reveals in real-time with Becky was entertaining and definitely fun for the reader.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
When Becky receives a call from her former best friend telling her that her mother is about to die she returns to the tiny island on which she was born. For the first time in 16 years. Apart from her former best friend Megan everyone makes it clear that she isn't welcome. The Islanders have long memories and they remember the scandal. But she is also on the island for work as she needs to find out what happened to a missing girl called Violet who disappeared a year ago on the day of the Summer Festival. Everyone assumes she has run off to the mainland but only her sister believes that something else happened. That she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Becky believes that she never left the island and that something sinister has happened.
This a great example of someone having to face their past mistakes, especially in stressful and painful circumstances. Becky is a character I wanted to like but I just didn't take to her. But I'm not sure that the reader is meant to really. As the book progressed I did begin to thaw a little but there was so many times I was shouting in my head at her for her silly mistakes! However, she was really determined to figure out what happened to Violet even if it was for selfish reasons.
The author managed to create a brilliant sense of location and it really felt as if you were just dropped into a world you were already aware of. The pacing of the book was superb and it really did ramp up to its explosive ending. Did I guess who it was? Yes, but getting to see the reveals in real-time with Becky was entertaining and definitely fun for the reader.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
May 28, 2025
i have never read a book with a more obvious plot ‘twist’ (if you can even call it that). this was very boring and very repetitive (i get it you feel like someone is watching you). stuck it out in hopes the end would have a crazy twist and i was wrong all along but nope
December 15, 2023
Oye! That was a slog of a read to get through. While I commend all authors for the hard work they put into their stories, requiring a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice, not all of their work is going to resonate with all readers, and unfortunately, that was the case for me.
The typographical errors were the least of the issues with this book. The characters were so incredibly shallow with very little background to substantiate their actions it made this book very difficult to push through. The author lacked subtlety to make the twists in the book truly surprising.
Rebecca our main character returns to her hometown island after receiving a call from her childhood friend that her mother had passed away. Amidst her return, there is quite a bit of uproar from the locals due to an event that happened 16 years ago involving Rebecca. The author hints at this past with nothing to pull the reader along with. The redundancy of this idea is hit on to the point of exhaustion until the MC reveals the story at the 50% mark. But by then, the reader has been left in the dark so long, making it difficult to want to invest in a story with so little background.
The characters constantly contradicted themselves to the point that the whole story became utterly absurd and 100% predictable.
This book missed the mark by quite a bit in my own personal opinion. I believe it had the framework to be really good, but needed a better editor to flesh out the storyline, characters, and writing. A hard pass for me unfortunately.
The typographical errors were the least of the issues with this book. The characters were so incredibly shallow with very little background to substantiate their actions it made this book very difficult to push through. The author lacked subtlety to make the twists in the book truly surprising.
Rebecca our main character returns to her hometown island after receiving a call from her childhood friend that her mother had passed away. Amidst her return, there is quite a bit of uproar from the locals due to an event that happened 16 years ago involving Rebecca. The author hints at this past with nothing to pull the reader along with. The redundancy of this idea is hit on to the point of exhaustion until the MC reveals the story at the 50% mark. But by then, the reader has been left in the dark so long, making it difficult to want to invest in a story with so little background.
The characters constantly contradicted themselves to the point that the whole story became utterly absurd and 100% predictable.
This book missed the mark by quite a bit in my own personal opinion. I believe it had the framework to be really good, but needed a better editor to flesh out the storyline, characters, and writing. A hard pass for me unfortunately.
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