This is an ideal thriller book to read for a mystery book club. Rather than just a page turner, popcorn and twists story, this has some deeper themes that are worth exploring. The mystery itself lies in a woman, Lucy Mendoza, who goes missing from the grocery store parking lot, her phone left on the concrete, and her infant daughter sitting in the abandoned shopping cart. Multiple point of views are another mom that has a difficult post partum experience and does not feel supported by her husband. Another POV is from her best friend Michelle who knows some of Lucy’s deepest secret thoughts.
The mystery itself takes a back seat to the thoughtful plotting and discourse around women and the choice or regret to become a mother. I have always wanted to be a mother and definitely had some stressful experiences while parenting, but this book helped me see the viewpoint of someone who regretted their choice to be a mother. Our culture definitely assumes that women want to be mothers and should be very nurturing. The truth is, not everyone should be a parent. Our culture very much assumes it is a gift and a duty of everyone, which causes people to make family planning choices they later come to regret. I think it is certainly a taboo to say you wish you hadn’t become a mom, even to say that you do not want to have kids.
That discourse is really the star of this show, the mystery is secondary. It is easy to read and the characters are flawed but likable. The audio is easy to follow and well acted. For me, the Michelle voice was read in a more “insecure” way than I viewed the character. It was best to follow at a 1.7 speed.
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC. Book to be published 11/4/25
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