3.5 Rounded Up. Where They Last Saw Her is a book where the message undeniably outweighs the delivery. While I felt the story itself was just okay, the subject matter is vital and deserves every ounce of attention it can get.

The book focuses on a community rising up to address the disappearances of Indigenous women and children as the system continues to fail them. This is such an important topic, and I truly appreciate that the author chose to tell this story in a fictional format. For many readers who might shy away from heavy nonfiction on these issues, a thriller or mystery like this could serve as a powerful entry point. Stories like this amplify awareness about the dangers faced by Indigenous women and the systemic negligence that exacerbates these tragedies.

That said, the execution fell short for me. The central character is introduced well—we get a sense of her place in the community, her relationship with her family, and her determination to fight back against these crimes. But the narrative never fully explores the ripple effects these disappearances have on the wider community. The fear, the heartbreak, the daily struggles of living with this danger—it felt like the author only skimmed the surface. I kept wanting more depth, more layers, and more emotional resonance.

There were moments of suspense that pulled me in completely—I could feel the tension and the fear of what might happen next. But at the same time, the plot felt a bit predictable, and I could often see where the story was going. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I think with a topic this heavy, there was room to push the narrative further and make it even more impactful.

Ultimately, I’d recommend this book for the message alone. It’s an essential conversation, and I’m glad it exists. However, I gave it three stars because I had higher hopes for how the story itself would unfold. With more character development and a deeper exploration of the community’s experiences, this could’ve been a standout read for me.