Book Info:
by Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (July 6, 2010)
ISBN-13: 9780312595678
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Source: Publisher for Review
Rating: 3.5/5
On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a thirty-two year old Realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever- patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor of the day pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.
Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent captive of a sadistic psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered spirit back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.
Still Missing first caught my attention when Trish featured it in a Peeing My Pants in Book Anticipation post. I started seeing it mentioned more and more, and I broke down and read a little about the book, which I don't usually do. And then I was hooked too. The format of the book, the story of Annie's abduction as she tells it to her therapist, was perfect right from the start. Obviously, she got away, but the slow unfolding of the story, right from Annie herself, was fresh and original.
While I loved the way the story was set up, I didn't really love Annie. Yes, she had been through a terrible ordeal, but I found her unlikable. I tried to connect with her, but she'd constructed such a wall around herself, that all I really felt was pity. As the story went on, I felt more sympathy toward her, but I couldn't get over my initial feelings toward her.
The one downfall of the book for me was the ending. It wasn't terrible, but I found it a little flat. I was completely caught up in the story until the last quarter or so of the book. Then, it seemed as if Stevens just didn't know how to end the book, and it lost momentum. While I didn't connect with Annie, Still Missing was a solid debut, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a gripping mystery. 3.5 stars
8 comments:
I'm all about the gripping mystery! I have this one on my shelves, and don't really know when I will get to it (maybe for Carl's RIP?).
Love your new blog looks, but miss the fancy shoes ...LOL (not really)
The book sounds so good - too bad the ending doesn't live up to the rest of the story.
This is in my "I can't wait to get my hands on it and escape with a great cup of tea" category.
You didn't enjoy it as much as others but still a great review, i'm so sold on this one.
I have this book to read shortly and have been worried that it is going to be to graphic and disturbing for me to enjoy. I have heard that it's really hard to put down, so I am eager to read it, I just hope I can handle all the rest!!
OMG...The shoes are there over to the right....duh on me...LOL
I read it too and I agree. The ending as a stinker.
This is what I am hoping will come up in a giveaway! so far nothing. The book has got such good reviews that I have to get it.
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