Left

by Theanna Bischoff

Twenty-nine-year-old Natasha Bell went for an evening jog, just like any other night – except now no one knows where she is. Not her sister, Abby – eighteen, eight months pregnant, and without a game plan. Not her childhood sweetheart, now ex-boyfriend, Greg, an introverted academic who could never bring himself to commit. Not her best friend Josie, a newlywed, born-again Christian, with whom Natasha recently had a falling out. And not detective Reuben Blake, who thought this case would be open ’n shut – a quick way to prove himself and move up the ranks. Missing person’s statistics suggest Natasha’s ex is the primary suspect, but what about the possibility of a stranger abduction? Or the possibility that Natasha left voluntarily or took her own life? What about Natasha’s mother, who took off eighteen years before her daughter’s disappearance? As days stretch into months and months stretch into years, the evidence that emerges seems only to complicate the picture more. Left explores the ways tragedy and secrecy erode and warp people’s psyches and their bonds to one other. What secrets might Natasha have been keeping? – and, for that matter, her friends and family.

Genres: Canada

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

Theanna Bischoff is a novelist, creative writing instructor, and freelance editor who currently lives in Calgary, Alberta. She is the author of two novels: Cleavage (NeWest Press, 2008), which was shortlisted for both the 2009 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book – Canada & the Caribbean, and the 2009 Re-Lit Awards; and Swallow (NeWest Press, 2012). Theanna holds a Concentration in Creative Writing from the University of Calgary (2006) and a PhD in Educational Psychology (2013). She is also the co-author of a commentary entitled “Social Cognition in the Literary Arts.”

Reviews

[Mark Lisac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A meticulously crafted suspense novel built around a young nurse's disappearance. But really it's about the relationships leading up to the disappearance and affected for years afterward by it.
Abandonment is the consistent theme running through the book. Natasha Bell, the nurse who has disappeared and is presumed murdered, suffered from her abandonment by her mother. Most of the other characters are deeply affected by someone leaving them. Yet Bell, too, has "left" people during her life and through her disappearance. Strangely, when she has gone, she has not really "left" her family and friends in the sense that they cannot let her go; her presence intrudes into their lives even after she is physically gone. Foremost among those affected are: a former boyfriend who makes Hamlet look decisive; a younger half-sister who is long on wilfulness and short on impulse control; a friend who is short on wilfulness and long on impulse control, partly thanks to her clinging to religion.
Some of the suspense centres less on the disappearance than on wondering whether the endless ricochets of abandonment will ever end as Natasha's friends and relatives grope toward a new life without her. A few characters may be a little broadly drawn but that's a matter of personal taste. An inside-out "crime" story put together with a cabinet maker's skill.

[Alyssa Morazé · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! Written from multiple perspectives spanning decades before and after a young woman goes missing. You don't get an everything wrapped up with a bow ending but you do find out what happened.

[S. J · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most likeable character in this book is gone and you spend the rest of the novel with all her tiresome relatives, and in the end she dies because she's a woman. A loosely hung-together bullshit story with marriage-obsessed women and that dooms them, in the end, thanks to the tired-ass bad guy's motivations. I'm bored and I'm mad I wasted time finishing this. I really expected something better.

[Joe J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Left" is a study in flawed family relationships, in addition to a mystery novel. Theanna Bischoff employs a unique style which breaks down the underlying story into multiple perspectives before neatly fitting all back together in a surprise ending. An interesting read.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natasha is a 29-year-old nurse in Calgary, AB. Since high school she had been dating Greg. She's ready to get married and start a family but he isn't so she has broken up with him. Her 18-year-old half-sister, Abby, is pregnant and will be having her baby anytime. Abby's parents have kicked her out of the house so Natasha takes her in. Natasha's best friend is Josie, who became a born-again Christian when she married Solomon, a born-again Christian preacher, last year and they are trying to get pregnant. Natasha seemed to have a full life ... why did she disappear one night when she was out jogging?

This book is about all those who were "left" behind when Natasha disappeared and how they dealt with it as the years went by with no word from her.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. It is written from many different viewpoints over different time periods. It is first person perspective when it is Abby speaking ... it's like she's talking to Natasha and keeping her up-to-date on what's been going on. It is third person perspective from the point of view of the other characters including Josie, Greg, Jason (Josie's twin brother), Rueben (the police officer investigating Natasha's disappearance) and Cam (the father of Abby's baby).

I like the writing style and it kept me interested to find out what happened to Natasha. I was okay with the continually shifting perspectives and bouncing around in time. As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.

I look forward to reading other books by this author.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/12...

[Jacqueline Aubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read Theanna Bischoff’s other books and Wreckage may now be my new favourite. I particularly loved the non-sequential timeline and alternating character point of views. Although I anticipated the ending early on, there were enough twists and turns to make me doubt my initial prediction. Both heartwarming and suspenseful, a great read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed onto me and didn't let go!!

It makes you think and just when you think you've figured it out, there a a twist. But once the truth is revealed, you see all the pieces fall into place!!

I have the 4 instead of 5 because then ending to me needed a little bit more.

[Ashley Brodin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down. Lost one star because it’s one of those books you rush through to find out the ending, only to get to the end and wish there was a little more to wrap it up. However, it really is about more than just how Natasha left - it’s about those she left behind.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!!! Keeps you on your seat all the way through; can’t wait to read her other books!

[Carol McNutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book but hated the lack of ending.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theanna Bischoff has just released her third novel, LEFT, about a young woman’s disappearance and the terrible aftermath. The ongoing investigation is a messy web of family lies and contradictions, but then the clues begin to dry up as the years pass...What has become of Natasha Bell? Her absence is still felt by those closest to her. This novel gives an expert glimpse into trauma, the many forms it takes, and how one life affects so many.