Erin Clemence's Reviews > The Girls Who Disappeared

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: January 10, 2023

Twenty years ago, Olivia Rutherford was in a car accident on the rural “Devil’s Corridor”. But Olivia lost more than the complete use of her leg- her three best friends, who had been traveling with her, had completely disappeared after the accident and hadn’t been seen or heard from since. Now, Olivia is stuck in the past, trying to come to terms with her survivor’s guilt and facing blame and ridicule from her neighbours. Although she previously refused speaking to the press, Olivia changes her mind when podcaster Jenna approaches and encourages Olivia to tell her side of the story. But as Jenna investigates, and secrets are revealed, both women’s lives are soon in danger.

I am a fan of mystery author, Claire Douglas, and her previous novels, “Then She Vanishes” and “The Couple at Number 9” were four star reads for me. The premise of her newest novel, “The Girls Who Disappeared” was unique and caught my attention right away, and sure enough, Douglas did not disappoint.

The story is told in alternating viewpoints, in present day, from the perspective of Jenna and Olivia. The prologue is the only part of the story told in the past, where the events of the car accident, from Olivia’s view, are detailed, but of course Douglas gives very little away, as Olivia is scared, confused, injured and unsure of her surroundings. There are chapters that feature italicized parts of another story, that feature other characters in entirely different surroundings, and although the presence of this plot is confusing at first, it all comes together in the end.

The premise is what hooked me, three girls who go missing after a car accident, and the speculation throughout the novel kept me turning the pages. What does Olivia know? Is she to blame like her neighbours believe? Did the three girls run away? There are so many possibilities and Douglas makes each one just as plausible as the next.

“Girls” had one heck of an ending, entirely unexpected and completely suspense-fueled. Olivia’s gaslighting, manipulative boyfriend Wes (who is entirely unlikable from the first page), gets what’s coming to him, and the real mystery around the missing girls is revealed. It is difficult to write a captivating novel with a unique plot in this genre, as it is inundated and over-hyped, but Douglas delivers that and more with “The Girls Who Disappeared”.