Invisible Girl: A Novel

Invisible Girl is 2020 thriller by Lisa Jewell, a British novelist who specializes in writing suspense, thriller, and mystery novels. Invisible Girl follows 17-year-old Saffyre Maddox, who decides to stalk her psychiatrist, Roan Fours, after he stops treating her. When Saffyre goes missing, the police investigate the Fours’ neighbor Owen Picks as their primary suspect because of his anti-social behaviors. The novel explores themes of trauma, loneliness, and family dynamics.

This guide refers to the 2021 Atria Books print edition.

Content Warning: This source material contains explicit references to sexual assault, sexual violence, and molestation. This source material contains racist, sexist, anti-gay, and anti-trans language. Additionally, the source material references instances of stalking, self-harm, violence, and psychological distress.

Plot Summary

Seventeen-year-old Saffyre Maddox has seen her psychiatrist, Dr. Roan Fours, since she was 12 years old to process the trauma of her family’s deaths and receive treatment for self-harming behavior. As the novel opens, Roan Fours moves into a rental with his family while their house is being renovated. Roan’s wife, Cate, feels nervous about the neighborhood since there have been several reports of sexual assault in the area. Cate feels apprehensive about Valentine’s Day because she and Roan have not gotten along since she accused him of cheating on her.