Local Missing Women by Mary Kubica (Review by Shelley Jomaa)

Rating: 4.2 Stars

Local Missing Women is the third book I have read by Mary Kubica, and it is her best one yet. It is a fast-paced and enjoyable read. Anyone who loves a good thriller will appreciate all the twists and turns in this book.

In a small town on the outskirts of Chicago, Shelby Tombow is killed when she goes out for a late night run. A few weeks later, another local tragedy arises when the body of Meredith Dickey is found. Meredith’s six year old daughter, Delilah, has also gone missing. Despite police efforts to apprehend a suspect and despite community efforts to locate Delilah, the case goes cold. Eleven years later, young Delilah escapes the basement where her kidnappers have held her hostage. With new information coming to light, the police reopen the case.

The story is told from multiple points of view and alternates between present day and 11 years prior. I absolutely love this structure. It worked well for this story and was super easy to follow. I was engaged the whole way through, wondering what was going to happen next. All the pieces of the puzzle and the connections between the characters were delivered at just the right moments. The book has creepy moments and a few red herrings to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The author does an amazing job of building tension and suspense. If you are looking for a compelling thriller, do not hesitate to pick this one up. Once I started reading, I could not stop. I was invested in the story and the characters, and the plot twists kept me guessing the whole way through. I will definitely be reading more of Mary Kubica’s books in the future, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.