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Laura Clark Is Away from Her Desk
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jul 26Who is Laura Clark?
To her colleagues at the suburban head office where she works, she's an anonymous forty-something HR manager who spends her days sending emails about the maintenance of the lifts, organising snacks for work meetings and subtly managing everyone's egos so things can actually get done. To her golf-obsessed husband and selfie-obsessed teenage daughter, she's the woman who puts dinner on the table and cleans it up afterwards. To her elderly mother, she's a sounding board for her constant complaints.
But one day Laura puts on her 'out of office' message and doesn't turn up for work. Soon baffling things start happening, and everyone's formerly ordered lives quickly begin to descend into all-out chaos.
Where has Laura gone? Has something terrible happened to her? Or has she - unthinkably - decided to finally give her own life the finger?
To find out, the people in her life must realise that, maybe, they never really knew Laura Clark at all . . .
To her colleagues at the suburban head office where she works, she's an anonymous forty-something HR manager who spends her days sending emails about the maintenance of the lifts, organising snacks for work meetings and subtly managing everyone's egos so things can actually get done. To her golf-obsessed husband and selfie-obsessed teenage daughter, she's the woman who puts dinner on the table and cleans it up afterwards. To her elderly mother, she's a sounding board for her constant complaints.
But one day Laura puts on her 'out of office' message and doesn't turn up for work. Soon baffling things start happening, and everyone's formerly ordered lives quickly begin to descend into all-out chaos.
Where has Laura gone? Has something terrible happened to her? Or has she - unthinkably - decided to finally give her own life the finger?
To find out, the people in her life must realise that, maybe, they never really knew Laura Clark at all . . .
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 30, 2026
159 people want to read
About the author
Helen Russell
16 books448 followersHelen Russell is a bestselling author, journalist, speaker and host. Formerly editor of marieclaire.co.uk turned Scandinavia correspondent for the Guardian, her first book, The Year of Living Danishly, became an international bestseller, optioned for television. She's the author of five critically acclaimed books, translated into 21 languages.
Helen writes for magazines and newspapers globally, including The Times and The Sunday Times, the Telegraph, the Independent, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, the Observer, Metro, Grazia, Stylist and Stella. She’s spent the last ten years studying cultural approaches to emotions and now speaks about her work internationally.
Helen writes for magazines and newspapers globally, including The Times and The Sunday Times, the Telegraph, the Independent, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, the Observer, Metro, Grazia, Stylist and Stella. She’s spent the last ten years studying cultural approaches to emotions and now speaks about her work internationally.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Laura Clark is all things to all men. As a 40 something she is mum to her actual daughter, her husband, mother, her work colleagues, her neighbours and anyone else who has decided to take advantage of her, but today she is not responding. Not even reading her messages. Out of office on.
Laura is captivating by her absence, the lives of others around her crumbling because she is not there to sort it out for them. For most of the novel you only know about her through the reactions of others. She is described only as being shorter than her daughter and favouring oatmeal, meaning beige.
I thought this book would be funny but I found it dreadfully bleak in a compelling way. I think women in big jobs with way too many responsibilities will inevitably see themselves and feel the call of leaving it all behind and running away, if that is what Laura did.
I was absolutely captivated throughout and that was genuinely one of the best books I've ever read.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review
5 stars is not enough stars
Laura is captivating by her absence, the lives of others around her crumbling because she is not there to sort it out for them. For most of the novel you only know about her through the reactions of others. She is described only as being shorter than her daughter and favouring oatmeal, meaning beige.
I thought this book would be funny but I found it dreadfully bleak in a compelling way. I think women in big jobs with way too many responsibilities will inevitably see themselves and feel the call of leaving it all behind and running away, if that is what Laura did.
I was absolutely captivated throughout and that was genuinely one of the best books I've ever read.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review
5 stars is not enough stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 rounded up
This was a funny and quietly sharp read. I was drawn in by the cover and the title, and the story delivers a familiar truth. Laura is the person who does everything. At home, she is invisible despite having a job. At work, she carries the company on her back, works unpaid overtime, and is taken for granted. The book is a reminder of what happens when the person who holds everything together disappears. Panic follows. Only then does everyone realize how much they depended on her. What surprised me most was seeing myself in Laura’s husband. My husband handles most things at home, and this book gave me an honest nudge to do better. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I wished we heard more directly from Laura throughout the book rather than mainly at the end. Still, it was an enjoyable, funny, and thoughtful read. Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the advance copy.
This was a funny and quietly sharp read. I was drawn in by the cover and the title, and the story delivers a familiar truth. Laura is the person who does everything. At home, she is invisible despite having a job. At work, she carries the company on her back, works unpaid overtime, and is taken for granted. The book is a reminder of what happens when the person who holds everything together disappears. Panic follows. Only then does everyone realize how much they depended on her. What surprised me most was seeing myself in Laura’s husband. My husband handles most things at home, and this book gave me an honest nudge to do better. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I wished we heard more directly from Laura throughout the book rather than mainly at the end. Still, it was an enjoyable, funny, and thoughtful read. Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An entertaining and fun read that had me laughing out loud. From Laura's office mates, to her cheating husband, and to her narcissistic mother, her life was not what she'd hoped. Everyone carried on, however, despite continually wondering where Laura had gone. Some of the people in her life even learned they could do things for themselves without relying solely on Laura and the many roles she played- wife, mother, baker, cleaner, shopper, etc. The author cleverly described the symptoms and the feelings of middle-aged women who become dissatisfied with their lives. Laura Clark took a break from her life, finding herself in the process. A fun and quick read.
Thank you to author, publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC.
Thank you to author, publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to netgalley for a copy of this arc!
honestly, this book felt like every character weaponising their incompetency until the very end. the concept that was explored here was interesting, but it didn’t feel like there was much of a plot going on initially. i don’t think that i was the target audience for this book if im honest, as i couldn’t really relate to it but i can see the point that the author is trying to make. she is commenting on how much women dedicate to all aspects of their lives without being seen by the people that they do those things for. i liked the multiple points of view during the book. i would probably recommend to a friend, even though it was a little bit slow.
honestly, this book felt like every character weaponising their incompetency until the very end. the concept that was explored here was interesting, but it didn’t feel like there was much of a plot going on initially. i don’t think that i was the target audience for this book if im honest, as i couldn’t really relate to it but i can see the point that the author is trying to make. she is commenting on how much women dedicate to all aspects of their lives without being seen by the people that they do those things for. i liked the multiple points of view during the book. i would probably recommend to a friend, even though it was a little bit slow.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I truly loved this uniquely silly book, it feels as if Laura is relatable on every level especially her relationships with other people. This book is great for those of us that seem to be the ones that are always relied on to take care of every little thing in every aspect of life. Well it was very entertaining, there were some really good takeaways including reminding myself to set boundaries in life. Definitely a worthy read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
One day, the family, friends and colleagues of Laura Clark discover a gap where she usually resides. Life is more complicated without her presence, but where has she gone?
This novel is a lot of fun. The cast of characters are well drawn and the constant shifts in perspective, keep the plot barrelling along. The central intrigue is captivating, though not subtle and there is inspiration in the chaos Laura leaves.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is a lot of fun. The cast of characters are well drawn and the constant shifts in perspective, keep the plot barrelling along. The central intrigue is captivating, though not subtle and there is inspiration in the chaos Laura leaves.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, reading it quickly over a couple of days!
It was an easy read with parts that made me giggle and others that made me cross.
As a lady of a certain age it resonated with me. The element of mystery also helped and some of the characters were wonderfully described. I could see people I have worked with!
I certainly will recommend it to others.
Thank you NetGalley and Helen Russell for the ARC
It was an easy read with parts that made me giggle and others that made me cross.
As a lady of a certain age it resonated with me. The element of mystery also helped and some of the characters were wonderfully described. I could see people I have worked with!
I certainly will recommend it to others.
Thank you NetGalley and Helen Russell for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
‘Laura Clark is away from her desk. She may be some time’
Laura Clark is a dependable wife, mother, daughter, employee and friend until one day she vanishes.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but I enjoyed the multiple perspectives of the characters in Laura’s life, including an unexpected detective figure.
It is an easy read which is at times both light-hearted and more confronting. Most readers will resonate with Laura in some way.
via NetGalley
Laura Clark is a dependable wife, mother, daughter, employee and friend until one day she vanishes.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but I enjoyed the multiple perspectives of the characters in Laura’s life, including an unexpected detective figure.
It is an easy read which is at times both light-hearted and more confronting. Most readers will resonate with Laura in some way.
via NetGalley
January 18, 2026
Smart, funny (laugh out loud at times), relatable and so good. The characters are well written with vivid personalities. You can’t help but understand Laura. You’ll want to rage at the world but laugh while doing it.
And the Ian character really grows on you.
By the second half I couldn’t put it down.
Thank you Headline Books and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
And the Ian character really grows on you.
By the second half I couldn’t put it down.
Thank you Headline Books and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Really enjoyed this one. Laura’s disappearance shows how much people take others for granted, and it’s surprisingly tense and relatable. A few plots felt predictable, but still a solid read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 rounded up
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews