Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell: Book Summary, Characters, and Review

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a chilling psychological thriller about Laurel Mack, a mother whose teenage daughter, Ellie, disappeared a decade ago. Struggling to move forward, Laurel meets Floyd, a charming man with a young daughter, Poppy, who eerily resembles Ellie. As Laurel uncovers the truth about Ellie’s disappearance, long-buried secrets and shocking revelations come to light, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew. It’s a haunting tale of love, loss, and the lengths people go to for closure.

Author	Lisa Jewell
Publication date	July 27, 2017
Goodreads Rating	04.05
Page count	359 pages
Topics	Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Adult, Contemporary, Psychological Thriller

Then She Was Gone Book Summary

Ten years after her bright and beloved teenage daughter, Ellie, vanished, Laurel Mack is still struggling to pick up the pieces of her life. Her marriage has crumbled, her relationships with her remaining children are strained, and her grief is ever-present. Despite this, she begins dating Floyd, a charismatic man she meets by chance. Laurel is charmed by Floyd and captivated by his precocious young daughter, Poppy—who is eerily reminiscent of Ellie.

As Laurel becomes more involved with Floyd and his family, unsettling connections between them and Ellie’s disappearance begin to surface. Through alternating perspectives and timelines, the story reveals Ellie’s tragic fate, exposing dark secrets and disturbing truths about the people in Laurel’s orbit.

Ultimately, Laurel must confront the past and make peace with the devastating truth in order to move forward. The novel is a haunting exploration of grief, obsession, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Then She was Gone: Series in Order

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a standalone novel, so there isn’t a series order for it. While Jewell has written many other gripping psychological thrillers, they’re not directly connected to this book.

If you enjoyed Then She Was Gone, you might like Jewell’s other novels, such as:

1. The Family Upstairs
2. Watching You
3. Invisible Girl

Each of these books delivers the same suspenseful, twist-filled storytelling that Lisa Jewell is known for! Let me know if you want more recommendations.

Then She Was Gone Ending Explained [Spoilers]

The ending of Then She Was Gone ties together the story’s twists with a blend of heartbreak and closure. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

The Truth About Ellie’s Disappearance

Ellie didn’t run away, as originally suspected. She was abducted by her math tutor, Noelle, who was obsessed with having a perfect family. Noelle had been struggling with mental health issues and devised a twisted plan to use Ellie as a surrogate to have a baby.

Ellie was held captive in Noelle’s basement, where she was forcibly impregnated. Tragically, Ellie died during childbirth due to complications, and Noelle buried her body in her backyard.

The Connection to Poppy

The baby born from Ellie’s pregnancy is Poppy, the young girl who now lives with Floyd, Noelle’s ex-boyfriend. After Ellie’s death, Noelle manipulated Floyd into believing that Poppy was her biological child. Floyd eventually grew suspicious of Noelle’s erratic behavior and killed her, raising Poppy as his own.

When Laurel meets Floyd and Poppy years later, she is initially unaware of their connection to Ellie. The striking resemblance between Poppy and Ellie eventually leads her to uncover the truth.

Laurel’s Closure

Laurel confronts the horrifying reality of what happened to Ellie. After learning the full story through Floyd’s confession and Noelle’s diary, she finally gets a sense of closure. Ellie’s remains are recovered and laid to rest, allowing Laurel to grieve properly.

The novel ends with Laurel beginning to heal and reconnect with her surviving children, as well as coming to terms with her loss. While the pain of Ellie’s death remains, Laurel finds solace in understanding what happened and ensuring Ellie is never forgotten.

Then She Was Gone Characters

Here’s a breakdown of the main characters in Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell:

• Laurel Mack – The Protagonist: A mother devastated by the disappearance of her teenage daughter, Ellie. Laurel struggles with grief and guilt, which have strained her relationships and derailed her life. Over the course of the story, she becomes determined to uncover the truth about Ellie’s fate.
• Ellie Mack – The Missing Daughter: A bright and beloved 15-year-old who vanishes while on her way to the library. Her disappearance is the central mystery of the story, and her tragic fate is gradually revealed through flashbacks.
• Floyd Dunn – Laurel’s Love Interest: A charming and enigmatic man who enters Laurel’s life unexpectedly. As their relationship deepens, Floyd’s connection to Ellie’s disappearance comes to light.
• Poppy Dunn – Floyd’s Daughter: A precocious 9-year-old who looks strikingly like Ellie. Her existence is a key clue in unraveling the truth about Ellie’s disappearance.
• Noelle Donnelly – Ellie’s Math Tutor: A socially awkward and obsessive woman who abducts Ellie in a twisted scheme to have a child. Noelle’s actions are the catalyst for the tragedy that unfolds.
• Hanna Mack – Laurel’s Older Daughter: Practical and reserved, Hanna struggles with her own feelings of neglect and the family’s focus on Ellie, both before and after her disappearance.
• Paul Mack – Laurel’s Ex-Husband: Laurel’s supportive but distant former spouse. Their marriage falls apart in the aftermath of Ellie’s disappearance.
• Sara-Jade – Floyd’s Older Daughter: A reclusive and mysterious teenager who keeps her distance from the main characters but plays a minor role in adding to the eerie atmosphere.

These characters drive the emotional depth and suspense of the novel, each contributing to the chilling mystery of Ellie’s disappearance.

Then She Was Gone Book Review

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a haunting psychological thriller that masterfully blends suspense and emotion. The story follows Laurel, a grieving mother uncovering the truth about her daughter Ellie’s disappearance a decade earlier. Jewell’s writing is gripping, with well-crafted characters and shocking twists that keep you hooked.

While seasoned thriller readers might predict some plot points, the emotional depth and eerie atmosphere make it a standout. Perfect for fans of dark, twisty mysteries, it’s a compelling read that lingers long after the final page.