From the TBR Pile: Blog Tour: Review of Before She was Found by Heather Gudenkauf

Author: Heather Gudenkauf
Publisher: Park Row; Original edition
Date of publication: April 16, 2019

A gripping thriller about three young girlfriends, a dark obsession and a chilling crime that shakes up a quiet Iowa town

For twelve-year-old Cora Landry and her friends Violet and Jordyn, it was supposed to be an ordinary sleepover—movies and Ouija and talking about boys. But when they decide to sneak out to go to the abandoned rail yard on the outskirts of town, little do they know that their innocent games will have dangerous consequences.

Later that night, Cora Landry is discovered on the tracks, bloody and clinging to life, her friends nowhere to be found. Soon their small rural town is thrust into a maelstrom. Who would want to hurt a young girl like Cora—and why? In an investigation that leaves no stone unturned, everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted—not even those closest to Cora.

Before She Was Found is a timely and gripping thriller about friendship and betrayal, about the power of social pressure and the price of needing to fit in. It is about the great lengths a parent will go to protect their child and keep them safe—even if that means burying the truth, no matter the cost.

I am always on the hunt for a good thriller. I had high hopes for Before She was Found. Three girls sneak out of a hosue and one ends up bloody, one runs away, and the other is rendered speechless. The beginning started out well and sucked me into the story. But I have to confess, it started fizzling out for me about halfway through. The book is told through multiple perspectives, diary entries and medical notes. I think that may have been the biggest problem for me. Too many voices got a little dull. I felt for Cora the most as she had little self esteem and was picked on pretty ruthlessly. But the rest of the characters pretty much blended together. I didn't like the ending as it was a little too wrapped up in a nice bow and was fairly unrealistic. It wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't a thrilling thriller either. I think fans of this author will enjoy this story.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Heather Gudenkauf

Heather Gudenkauf is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Weight of Silence and Not a Sound. Heather lives in Iowa with her family.

Connect with Heather

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Excerpts:

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