A review by southernbibliomom
The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas

mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I originally chose this on audible because it was narrated by Joanne Froggatt of Downton Abbey. I enjoyed the listen. The story was fine. 4 girls were involved in a horrific car accident, but only one is left. The other three disappeared that night. Never seen again. Now a BBC journalist is in town making a podcast about the mysterious disappearance. What happened to the girls? Did they just all run away together and were forced to leave behind their fourth because of her injuries, is it something more supernatural, or is it even more sinister. Told in the POV of Joanna (journalist), Olivia (remaining girl) and also told in flashback scenes for characters that you are always unsure how it fits into the current story. Who are these characters, how does their past trip to Thailand tie into the disappearances and characters in the UK? It all comes together in the end, but the big twist I did see coming. There’s a “smaller” one I didn’t. And one of the characters is simply despicable, more than the others to me. But, I won’t give a spoiler. For me the wondering and mystery of it was better than the reveal and I like a good reveal.