Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell Summary

Then She Was Gone is a psychological thriller about Laurel Mack, whose 15-year-old daughter Ellie vanished without a trace ten years ago. When Ellie's remains are finally discovered, Laurel begins to rebuild her life and meets a charming man named Floyd Dunn. The story alternates between present-day and the past, gradually revealing the disturbing circumstances surrounding Ellie's disappearance and uncovering shocking connections that tie Laurel's new relationship to her daughter's tragic fate.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is ideal for fans of psychological thrillers who appreciate character-driven narratives and emotional depth. Readers who enjoyed books like The Girl on the Train or Gone Girl will find the suspenseful pacing and family drama compelling. The novel appeals to those who don't mind predictable twists if executed well, as many reviewers noted guessing the ending early but still finding the journey engaging and emotionally impactful.

Then She Was Gone is widely considered worth reading, with many reviewers ranking it among the top psychological thrillers they've encountered. Lisa Jewell delivers stellar character development and emotional authenticity that keeps readers invested even when the twist becomes apparent. The book balances suspense with genuine emotion, exploring grief and loss with nuance. While some readers found certain elements predictable, the majority praise its addictive pacing and the realistic portrayal of a mother's devastating loss.

Then She Was Gone is a psychological thriller with strong domestic suspense elements. Lisa Jewell blends mystery and family drama, focusing on the psychological aftermath of a child's disappearance rather than action-driven suspense. The novel features multiple timelines, unreliable narration, and explores themes of obsession, grief, and motherhood. Unlike darker thrillers, reviewers describe Then She Was Gone as having a balanced tone—tense and disturbing without being overly graphic or stressful.

Ellie Mack was kidnapped by her math tutor Noelle Donnelly, who became obsessed with the 15-year-old after Ellie ended their tutoring sessions. Noelle lured Ellie to her house under the pretense of taking practice tests before exams. She held Ellie captive in her basement, where Ellie eventually died. Ten years later, Ellie's remains are discovered, finally giving her mother Laurel the closure she desperately sought while uncovering the horrifying truth behind the disappearance.

Noelle Donnelly is the villain in Then She Was Gone, Ellie's former math tutor who became dangerously obsessed with her young student. After Ellie canceled their tutoring sessions, Noelle stalked and eventually kidnapped her, keeping Ellie imprisoned in her basement. Lisa Jewell provides chapters from Noelle's perspective, revealing her disturbed thought processes and motivations. The novel humanizes this inhumane act without justifying it, showing how obsession twisted Noelle's perception of reality and led to tragedy.

The major twist in Then She Was Gone reveals that Floyd's 9-year-old daughter Poppy is actually Ellie's biological child. Noelle, Floyd's ex-partner and Ellie's captor, became pregnant with Ellie's baby through Floyd without his knowledge of the kidnapping. This shocking connection between Laurel's new boyfriend and her missing daughter creates a devastating revelation. Floyd was unknowingly complicit in the crime, having fathered a child with the kidnapped teenager while Noelle kept Ellie hidden in their basement.

Then She Was Gone ends with Floyd committing suicide after discovering the full truth about Noelle's crimes and his unwitting involvement. Eight months later, Laurel has custody of Poppy, her granddaughter, who calls her "Mama." The novel concludes at Hanna and Theo's wedding, where Laurel reflects on her restored family relationships despite missing those who are gone—her mother, Ellie, and Floyd. Lisa Jewell provides a bittersweet ending that acknowledges trauma while offering hope and healing through family connection.

Poppy is Floyd Dunn's 9-year-old daughter who is later revealed to be Ellie's child, making her Laurel's granddaughter. Described as being on the autism spectrum with a wonderfully positive attitude, Poppy brings a "breath of fresh air" to the dark narrative. She has distinctive features—white-blond hair and a thin, delicate build—and a quiet, withdrawn personality. After the truth emerges and Floyd's death, Poppy adapts to living with Laurel and calls her "Mama."

Then She Was Gone explores grief and its devastating impact on family relationships, showing how Laurel's obsession with finding Ellie destroyed her marriage and connection with her other children. Lisa Jewell examines maternal love from multiple disturbing angles—Laurel's desperate search, Noelle's twisted obsession, and eventually Laurel's relationship with her granddaughter. The novel addresses healing, moving forward after trauma, and the dangers of obsession. Additional themes include the loss of innocence and how one tragedy can ripple through generations.

Common criticisms of Then She Was Gone include its predictability, with many readers guessing the twist early in the narrative. Some reviewers found Floyd's character unrealistic—the "perfect man" appearing conveniently felt too coincidental. The audiobook narrator received mixed feedback, particularly regarding voice consistency for different characters. A few readers felt emotionally disconnected from Laurel despite her tragic circumstances, finding her character difficult to love. However, most critics acknowledge that even knowing the twist, the execution and emotional journey remained compelling.

Then She Was Gone is considered somewhat predictable by many readers who identified the major twist early in the story. However, most reviewers emphasize that Lisa Jewell's execution makes the predictability forgivable—the emotional authenticity, character development, and suspenseful pacing kept them engaged despite knowing where the plot was headed. Several readers noted wanting to reread Then She Was Gone specifically to catch details they missed. The journey and emotional impact matter more than surprise, making predictability a minor flaw rather than a dealbreaker.