True Crime by Georgina Lees

There is something chilling about missing persons. How can people just disappear into thin air? We have to consider whether they chose to go away without telling anyone, were forced to or met with an an accident. But the most disturbing aspect is that we don't know what happened to them.

Judging by the hundreds (or possibly thousands) of books written on this subject, I'm not the only one fascinated by this. I have read many novels and non-fiction books on this topic and feel that the market is saturated by it. However, I have read Georgina Lees (The Girl Upstairs) and her writing is haunting and addictive, so I was excited to read this offering.

The novel follows the mother of her missing adult daughter who disappeared ten years ago. Renewed interest comes about by true crime enthusiasts who discuss the case through social media forums and by film. The mother is reluctant to take part but does so, spurred on by the thought that new evidence and interest in her daughter's disappearance may help find what happened to her.

Despite the re-opening of painful past memories and people she would rather forget, the mother's main concern is that her daughter is the main focus of these new projects. The investigation becomes bigger than the victim and witnesses' motivations vary but they are not about finding out what happened to the missing woman. This reflects current issues where often the speculation about someone's disappearance becomes very distasteful and disturbing, and the central character - the missing person - becomes a bit part. This is handled well here.

The story is told mainly from one point of view and interspersed with chapters from scenes of the film, where more perspectives are expressed. Taut and tragic, a tale about exploitation and how far reaching crime is even after the passing of time. Challenging the whole idea of crime and suffering as a source of entertainment. Brilliant read, highly recommended.

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Published by One More Chapter on 30 January 2024.
Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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