Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell follows Laurel Mack as she seeks closure and answers regarding her daughter Ellie’s disappearance a decade earlier. When Laurel meets Floyd Dunn and his daughter Poppy, uncanny similarities between Poppy and Ellie unveil a deeper mystery involving Ellie’s troubled history with her tutor Noelle, leading Laurel through a web of secrets and ultimately towards healing. Topics include abduction, captivity, and death.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell has garnered acclaim and mixed reactions. Positive feedback highlights the gripping and suspenseful narrative, well-developed characters, and emotional depth. However, some critics felt the plot was predictable and slow in parts. Overall, it remains a compelling psychological thriller with both charm and flaws.

Fans of psychological thrillers like Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train will relish Lisa Jewell's Then She Was Gone. Ideal for readers who enjoy intense, suspenseful narratives with complex characters and dark, twisty plots. Perfect for those who appreciate emotional depth and gripping mysteries.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Melancholic / Unnerving

- Lisa Jewell began writing Then She Was Gone during a writing retreat, allowing her to focus intensely on the first draft away from home distractions.
- The book is often noted for its exploration of family dynamics, showcasing Jewell's interest in the psychological aspects of her characters.
- Then She Was Gone was a New York Times bestseller, reflecting its popularity and critical acclaim in the thriller genre.

**Laurel Mack**  
A mother struggling with the disappearance of her teenage daughter, Ellie, who seeks meaning and healing as she navigates complex relationships and personal grief.

**Noelle Donnelly**  
A tutor with unusual and unsettling characteristics who plays a significant role in the lives of several central characters.

**Floyd Dunn**  
A charming man who enters Laurel's life and becomes intertwined with her past and present through his mysterious connections.

**Ellie Mack**  
A bright and promising teenager known for her academic and personal achievements, whose life abruptly changes under dramatic circumstances.

**Poppy**  
A precocious nine-year-old girl with a mature demeanor, who resembles Ellie in appearance and shares a special bond with the central characters.

Study Guide

Book Brief

Explore Then She Was Gone reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Book Brief Then She Was Gone

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Overview

Get ready to explore Then She Was Gone and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Then She Was Gone Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 12

Then She Was Gone Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 Part 2, Chapters 13-19

Then She Was Gone Part 2, Chapters 13-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 20-26

Then She Was Gone Part 2, Chapters 20-26 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Part 3, Chapters 27-35

Then She Was Gone Part 3, Chapters 27-35 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 Part 4, Chapters 36-49

Then She Was Gone Part 4, Chapters 36-49 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 50-57

Then She Was Gone Part 4, Chapters 50-57 Summary & Analysis

Part 5 Part 5, Chapter 58-Epilogue

Then She Was Gone Part 5, Chapter 58-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Then She Was Gone Character Analysis

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Themes

Then She Was Gone Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Then She Was Gone Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Then She Was Gone Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Then She Was Gone Essay Topics

Book Club Questions

Then She Was Gone Book Club Questions

Lisa Jewell

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Then She Was Gone

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Who Should Read Then She Was Gone?

Laurel Mack

Noelle Donnelly

Floyd Dunn

Ellie Mack

Poppy