Everyone is talking about the disappearance of Emma Harte.
A high-achieving university graduate and young entrepreneur, she was last seen in the early hours of the morning on grainy CCTV footage in Dublin’s city centre before vanishing into thin air. While a national debate about women’s safety rages, eyes turn to Emma’s boyfriend, Tom – who is nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, archivist James Lyster is following the story with undue interest. When a comment he makes about Emma goes viral on social media, he finds himself drawn into the world of a group of idealistic university students involved in the search – and attracting the attention of the police detective in charge of Emma’s case.
Then a body is discovered in scrubland near James’ flat …
As the police get closer to finding out what happened to Emma Harte, James’ life begins to unravel. Is he a victim or murderer? Feminist ally or callous liar?
For it turns out that James isn’t the only one with secrets …
Book Info: Print length: 303 pages. Publisher: Hachette Books Ireland. Publication Date: 4 April 2024
My Thoughts:
Looking for a book that will get under your skin, keep you intrigued and mess with your head? Then look no further as Emma, Disappeared will do all that .. and more!
Set in Ireland, Emma Harte, has gone missing. There is absolutely NO sign of her since she left a nightclub. Her boyfriend Tom has also disappeared and he soon becomes a person of interest to the police.
The story is narrated by James Lyster. He seems to have taken a rather unhealthy interest in Emma’s disappearance. His behaviour is questionable most of the time and the reader never really knows why he is so fixated on this story.
We learn in the prologue that there is a dead body buried near James’ home so it’s easy to assume James is hiding something but we just don’t know what or why.
The author leads the reader on a clever, twisty journey and just when you think you know what is going on he flips the story and leaves the reader grappling to work out what just happened.
None of the characters are particularly likeable, but that just adds to the general feeling of unease and tension.
With some real shocking OMG moments, some completely unexpected reveals and many, many thought-provoking scenes Emma, Disappeared will stay in your thoughts long after you’ve finished the book.
