Saturday, March 28, 2020

Bookish suspense...



An innocent sleepover takes a horrifying turn when three 12-year-old girls sneak out of the house in the middle of the night in search of a dark and deadly urban legend. The investigation that follows will tear up the small town of Pitch, Iowa. What really happened that night? What part did the three girls play in it? And who is Joseph Withers?


My thoughts:  Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf is a riveting psychological thriller that's hard to put down. It's told in several different voices and styles, which I actually liked. Cora's journal entries from before the sleepover were my favorite and really helped build the suspense. The other two girls, Jordyn and Violet, were seen more through the eyes of their parents and the police. And their online conversations. I really liked how Gudenkauf wove the separate narratives together. It's very compelling the way the bits and pieces of this mystery come together. The ending did feel a bit abrupt, but I'd still give this one 4 stars. I'll definitely be checking out Gudenkauf's other novels. If my library ever reopens.

Happy Reading!

39 comments:

  1. This sounds intriguing! Will add onto my reading list. :)

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    1. I'd love to know what you think of this one, Melody! :)

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  2. I've been in the mood for a good psychological thriller lately. Adding this one to my wishlist. :)

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    1. It's a fun one. And if you read it, you have to let me know what you think about the ending!

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  3. I haven't read anything by Gudenkauf, but several of her books are on my TBR list because their plots sound interesting. This one does as well. I hope the libraries open soon because I've got a lot of books I want to read!

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    1. I hear you! I really want my library to reopen soon, too, for the very same reason. :)

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  4. I'm a huge fan of intriguing mysteries, so this sounds like the perfect read!

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    1. I was impressed by Gudenkauf's writing, and there was a bit of a twist in this one that I didn't see coming. :) Thanks for commenting!

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  5. Oy! Closed libraries and bookstores. That's the worst of this.

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    1. Well, that's a little insensitive, of course. But right now, it's not helping...

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    2. I get what you're saying! I was okay when they closed the elementary school where I work. And I was okay when I couldn't find toilet paper or salad at the grocery store. But when they closed the library? That day I did NOT feel okay.

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  6. I generally enjoy novels like this one, with multiple threads and POVs that finally come together to tie a neat knot at the end. That, of course, is the trick...tie that knot.

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    1. Yeah, I could have used a bit more at the end. The author didn't really leave any loose ends; I just would have liked a little more wrapping up...you know?

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  7. This sounds really good and would do for my US States challenge for Iowa... a difficult state to find a book for.

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    1. Definitely! :D What book are you going to read for Utah?

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    2. I read a cosy crime book for Utah, To Helvetica and Back, by Paige Shelton. But I decided a while back to read several books for each state to get a real flavour of each place, so if you have other recs that would be wonderful!

      Are you on Goodreads, Lark?

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    3. Sadly, I don't think I've read many books set in Utah. As a kid I read all the Great Brain books, but as an adult I haven't really run across too many books set in my state. Thunderhead by Preston & Child is set in southwestern Utah, but that's about the only one I can think of.

      And yes, I am Goodreads, but just under the name Lark, so I'm kind of hard to find. :)

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  8. I've enjoyed this author's work before and definitely want to give this one a try.

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    1. I want to read some of her other books now. :)

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  9. I've wondered about Heather Gudenkauf a few times as I've seen her books around. I like a good psychological thriller and it sounds like this one really delivers! I like it when different POV's works. :)

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    1. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. :)

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  10. I liked the one book of hers I've read-The Weight of Silence. I read it quite a few years back.

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  11. I've read other books that I liked by this author and actually have this one on my Kindle. I'll try to make a point of trying it soon. I love when a story is told at least partly using journals, letters, or other interesting mediums.

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    1. I really like that, too! Epistolary fiction is some of my favorite. :)

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    1. This is the first book I've read by her, so she's pretty new to me, too. :)

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  13. Eek. This sounds kind of scary actually.

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    1. There's good tension, but it won't give you nightmares. :)

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  14. I read Not a Sound by Heather Gudenkauf and enjoyed it with a few niggles. This does sound like something I'd like, too. Fab review, Lark! :)

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  15. Oh I am loving the sound of that! She's an author i've always enjoyed.

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    1. This is a good one! I think you'd like it. :)

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  16. This sounds really intriguing. I am adding it on to my "to-read" list.

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  17. Hi Lark, this sounds really good and I also like to read fiction in the form of journal entries. Just checked and PW Weekly gave it a starred review.

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    1. I like the way Gudenkauf writes. And this book certainly kept my interest. :)

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  18. I've read one of her books and really enjoyed it so she's an author I would definitely read again. Glad to hear this one was good! I know when will our libraries ever re-open right? Hope you are doing well!

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    1. I'm hanging in there...social distancing and hunkering down. But boy am I getting tired of it. I'd really like life to go back to normal now. Hope you're staying safe and well! :)

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