Local Woman Missing
4.4 | 100,737 ratings
Price: 21.25
Last update: 01-04-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Farrah BA Riveting Page-Turner with Unpredictable Twists!I was completely captivated by “Local Woman Missing: A Novel of Domestic Suspense” from the very first page. The storyline is intricately woven, with each character adding a new layer of suspense and intrigue. The author masterfully builds tension, and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.
The twist towards the end caught me entirely by surprise, making the late-night reading session until 2 AM well worth it. The characters are well-developed, and their complex relationships add depth to the narrative. The pacing is perfect, gradually escalating the suspense until the explosive climax.
One aspect I particularly appreciated was the realistic portrayal of domestic life and the underlying tensions that can exist behind closed doors. It added a chilling layer of authenticity to the story. The writing is crisp and engaging, making it easy to lose track of time while reading.
If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with unexpected twists, “Local Woman Missing” is a must-read. It’s a book that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping, well-crafted suspense novel. - Katherine YFast-paced thriller about missing child sometimes stretches credulity but mostly enjoyableWhen a small-town doula and her six-year-old daughter go missing, the local community organizes search parties. Meredith’s husband, Josh, is frantic with worry. The neighbors, a couple named Kate and Bea, who often socialized with Meredith and Josh, pitch in to help however they can. Little Leo, Meredith’s and Josh’s toddler son, doesn’t understand where his mommy and big sister went. Adding to the anxiety everyone is feeling, is the knowledge that another woman from the immediate area went missing just weeks before. This other woman turns out to be a client of Meredith’s, whom she helped during a difficult birth.
Meredith’s car is spotted at a rundown motel. Police on the investigation find Meredith’s body in one of the motel rooms. Her death was an apparent suicide. She leaves a note to Josh saying he’ll never find Delilah.
Meanwhile, miles away, a small girl is kept in a basement. Her abductors torment her by denying her enough water, food, medical care, and even sunlight. The girl’s only consolation is she is trapped with another child, a boy named Gus. After years of abuse, the kids plot an escape. The girl’s emergence from captivity is a catalyst for events that make an unknown killer very nervous.
This novel is a complex mystery involving five point-of-view characters, subplots, red herrings, and twists and including a dual timeline in the past and present. I thought the author, Mary Kubica did a masterful job in building suspense. Unfortunately, not all the twists in the plot are believable. I can’t be more specific without revealing spoilers. For the first three-fourths of the book, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and was willing to suspend disbelief. The ending, however, was a let-down because several new plot wrinkles were added at the very last minute, which made me feel unfairly tricked. My rating is a 3.5 because I enjoyed most of the book. Overall, this is a fast summer read that does keep you guessing, even if your guesses turn out wrong. - Stacey BealkeGreat ThrillerThis was a fun easy read! I loved it. I just gave it as a gift for our favorite things gift exchange!
- BrittanyClever Twists with a Less-Than-Perfect RevealLocal Woman Missing was a solid, suspenseful read that kept me intrigued from the very beginning. The pacing was strong, and there were several clever twists that kept the story moving and added an eerie edge.
While I enjoyed the overall plot, one of the major reveals didn’t hit as hard for me—it felt a little underwhelming, especially given how much I liked the character involved. That said, the emotional complexity of the story still made the ending impactful.
Overall, it’s an engaging thriller with plenty of tension and surprises. Definitely worth a read for fans of twisty, character-driven mysteries. - Bhaskar KahaliLocal Woman Missing: A Gripping Disappearance with Twists and TurnsMary Kubica's "Local Woman Missing" is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The story unfolds in a small, seemingly peaceful community that's rocked by the disappearance of two women, Shelby Tebow and Meredith Dickey, along with Meredith's young daughter, Delilah.
The novel is narrated from multiple perspectives, including members of the affected families, friends, and neighbors, as well as by a mysterious stranger. This allows readers to piece together the puzzle from various angles, building suspense and raising questions about each character's motives and secrets.
Kubica does an excellent job of portraying the emotional toll the disappearances take on the characters. The desperation of the families, the frustration of the police, and the growing fear within the community are all palpable. The novel also explores the complexities of family relationships, particularly the bond between mothers and daughters.
Some key considerations -
1. Twists and Reveals: The book is full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When you think you've figured things out, Kubica throws in a new piece of information that changes everything.
2. Well-developed characters: Despite the multiple perspectives, Kubica creates well-developed characters that readers can connect with. Each character has flaws and vulnerabilities, making them all the more realistic.
3. Fast Pace: The story moves quickly, with short chapters that make it easy to devour the book in one sitting.
4. Slow Start: Some readers might find the beginning of the book to be slow, as Kubica sets the scene and introduces the characters. However, the pace picks up quickly once the disappearances occur.
Overall, "Local Woman Missing" is a well-written and suspenseful thriller that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It's an excellent choice if you're looking for a book to keep you guessing and emotionally invested. - BrandySo many twists!I listened to this on audible! It was fast passed and held my attention. There was so many twist and turns throughout, it was very interesting! Would recommend.