Local Woman Missing: A Novel of Domestic Suspense

The book was an excellent value. It came as new. No marks, no dog ears, nothing. Never read. The story is amazing. From the moment you start reading, you know this author knows exactly how to get a reader's attention. You don't want to put it down. I read a lot and I am so impressed with her writing style, the thrilling way she rights that engulfs you from the very beginning. No fluff, just straight into the good stuff. I will buy more of her books. Excellent seller. Highly recommended!

When a small-town doula and her six-year-old daughter go missing, the local community organizes search parties. Meredith’s husband, Josh, is frantic with worry. The neighbors, a couple named Kate and Bea, who often socialized with Meredith and Josh, pitch in to help however they can. Little Leo, Meredith’s and Josh’s toddler son, doesn’t understand where his mommy and big sister went. Adding to the anxiety everyone is feeling, is the knowledge that another woman from the immediate area went missing just weeks before. This other woman turns out to be a client of Meredith’s, whom she helped during a difficult birth. Meredith’s car is spotted at a rundown motel. Police on the investigation find Meredith’s body in one of the motel rooms. Her death was an apparent suicide. She leaves a note to Josh saying he’ll never find Delilah. Meanwhile, miles away, a small girl is kept in a basement. Her abductors torment her by denying her enough water, food, medical care, and even sunlight. The girl’s only consolation is she is trapped with another child, a boy named Gus. After years of abuse, the kids plot an escape. The girl’s emergence from captivity is a catalyst for events that make an unknown killer very nervous. This novel is a complex mystery involving five point-of-view characters, subplots, red herrings, and twists and including a dual timeline in the past and present. I thought the author, Mary Kubica did a masterful job in building suspense. Unfortunately, not all the twists in the plot are believable. I can’t be more specific without revealing spoilers. For the first three-fourths of the book, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and was willing to suspend disbelief. The ending, however, was a let-down because several new plot wrinkles were added at the very last minute, which made me feel unfairly tricked. My rating is a 3.5 because I enjoyed most of the book. Overall, this is a fast summer read that does keep you guessing, even if your guesses turn out wrong.

Amazing book! Such a page turner! Couldn’t put the book down.

Local Woman Missing was a solid, suspenseful read that kept me intrigued from the very beginning. The pacing was strong, and there were several clever twists that kept the story moving and added an eerie edge. While I enjoyed the overall plot, one of the major reveals didn’t hit as hard for me—it felt a little underwhelming, especially given how much I liked the character involved. That said, the emotional complexity of the story still made the ending impactful. Overall, it’s an engaging thriller with plenty of tension and surprises. Definitely worth a read for fans of twisty, character-driven mysteries.

Dark & twisted thriller that is hard to put the book down! Crazy to think things like this happen in real life.

Delilah and Gus are two young children kidnapped by strangers. Gus was playing ball alone in the park when the man and woman used their big red dog to snatch him. Gus was 12 at the time. Delilah escapes her captors, but Gus is recaptured. The twists and turns in the book had me glued to my kindle. The ending absolutely blew my mind This was my first of Ms. Kubica's books but certainly not my last.

This was a fun easy read! I loved it. I just gave it as a gift for our favorite things gift exchange!

Mary Kubica's "Local Woman Missing" is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The story unfolds in a small, seemingly peaceful community that's rocked by the disappearance of two women, Shelby Tebow and Meredith Dickey, along with Meredith's young daughter, Delilah. The novel is narrated from multiple perspectives, including members of the affected families, friends, and neighbors, as well as by a mysterious stranger. This allows readers to piece together the puzzle from various angles, building suspense and raising questions about each character's motives and secrets. Kubica does an excellent job of portraying the emotional toll the disappearances take on the characters. The desperation of the families, the frustration of the police, and the growing fear within the community are all palpable. The novel also explores the complexities of family relationships, particularly the bond between mothers and daughters. Some key considerations - 1. Twists and Reveals: The book is full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When you think you've figured things out, Kubica throws in a new piece of information that changes everything. 2. Well-developed characters: Despite the multiple perspectives, Kubica creates well-developed characters that readers can connect with. Each character has flaws and vulnerabilities, making them all the more realistic. 3. Fast Pace: The story moves quickly, with short chapters that make it easy to devour the book in one sitting. 4. Slow Start: Some readers might find the beginning of the book to be slow, as Kubica sets the scene and introduces the characters. However, the pace picks up quickly once the disappearances occur. Overall, "Local Woman Missing" is a well-written and suspenseful thriller that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It's an excellent choice if you're looking for a book to keep you guessing and emotionally invested.

3 🌟🤔 I think I'm an outlier once again but I didn't find it fascinating or mind-blowing at all. It was very slow until the last 10 pages and there aren't plot twists either. I couldn't feel sad or worried about the missing "people" but maybe the only character who I felt some kind of connection was Kate 😬 I don't know, I don't really think is that worthy tbh.

amazing book. you think you know whats gonna happen, you think you know it, but you are wrong. thats what i loved about it.

Er hangt een stuk karton aan de cover en de hoek is beschadigd

Local Woman Missing is one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read in a long time. Mary Kubica absolutely nails the eerie atmosphere, the emotional depth, and the jaw-dropping twists that make this genre so addictive. The story kicks off with the disappearance of a woman and her young daughter in a quiet suburban neighborhood—and things spiral from there. Kubica masterfully weaves multiple timelines and perspectives, slowly revealing how these disappearances are connected. Every chapter adds a new layer of suspense, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, she flips the script. What sets this book apart is how emotionally invested you become in the characters. The alternating POVs—from a guilt-ridden mother to a traumatized girl who resurfaces years later—are rich with tension and raw emotion. It’s not just a mystery; it’s a story about trauma, resilience, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The plot is smart and complex without ever being confusing, and the ending is incredibly satisfying—unexpected, but it makes perfect sense once it clicks. If you’re a fan of Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, or The Couple Next Door, this needs to be your next read. It’s haunting, addictive, and impossible to forget. Highly recommend for any thriller lover!

Realy interesting novel