Ellery Kane’s newest novel delivers a gripping tale.  A tale where best friends Willow and Amelia set off on a road trip to promote their book. But when only Amelia returns home, the burning question arises: What happened to Willow? This mystery propels Willow’s mother, Tracy, into a desperate search for answers, leading her to explore various paths, including delving into the world of Instagram. The story unfolds with Tracy’s relentless pursuit to uncover the truth behind her daughter’s disappearance.

At first, the story unfolded at a leisurely pace, seemingly uneventful. However, throughout the story’s progression, it gained momentum and intricacy. Before I knew it, I was utterly engrossed. My numerous speculations about Willow’s disappearance all fell short of the mark. The revelation of the true architect behind her disappearance was nothing short of astonishing.

The story alternates between the periods before and after Willow’s vanishing. Prior to the disappearance, the reader gets a glimpse into the dynamic between Willow and Amelia. Despite being best friends, their relationship is far from ideal, riddled with secrets. The trip becomes a turning point as they uncover unsettling truths about one another, leading to a significant rift in their bond.

Following Willow’s mysterious disappearance, the story introduces a cast of unsavory characters, each harboring their own clandestine truths. Brace yourself for a series of startling disclosures as these hidden secrets come to light. Following such startling revelations, one might anticipate an equally or more shocking conclusion. Unfortunately, it seems expectations were set a bit too high. The ending felt hurried, leaving several secrets shrouded in mystery.

Listening to the audiobook while reading was a delightful experience, thanks to Patricia Rodriguez’s narration. She infused the characters and the story with vitality. Although not every voice was distinct, as some characters had similar tones, her overall interpretation of the narrative and its characters was enjoyable.

Story Evaluation
Plot	4
Characters	3.5
World Building	3
Pacing	3.5
Cover	4
Narrator (Audio)	4
Enjoyment	3.5
Ending	3
Overall:

About Ellery A. Kane

Forensic psychologist by day, novelist by night, Ellery Kane has been writing–professionally and creatively–for as long as she can remember. Just like many of her main characters, Ellery loves to ask why, which is the reason she became a psychologist in the first place. Real life really is stranger than fiction, and Ellery’s writing is often inspired by her day job. Evaluating violent criminals and treating trauma victims, she has gained a unique perspective on the past and its indelible influence on the individual. And she’s heard her fair share of real life thrillers.  Ellery lives in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, a picturesque setting that provides the backdrop for many of her novels. If you don’t find Ellery interviewing murderers behind prison walls or pecking away at her latest novel, she is probably at the gym landing a solid jab-cross to a punching bag; riding bicycles with her special someone; or enjoying a movie the old-fashioned way–at the theater with popcorn and Milk Duds.  Ellery was previously selected as one of ten semifinalists in the MasterClass James Patterson Co-Author Competition, and she recently signed a three book deal with Bookouture for her new Rockwell and Decker mystery thriller series.

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• 2024 Netgalley and Edelweiss