By Jamie Maletta
Adele Parks is one of the top-selling women’s fiction writers in the UK, selling a whopping 4 million-plus books over the last 22 years. Generally a nonfiction fan myself, I’ve been trying to step out of the box, specifically enjoying psychological thrillers that keep me on the edge of my seat throughout. This was my first experience reading Adele Parks’s work, and I was excited and ready to jump into this book!
Woman Last Seen introduces us to Leigh, a beautiful and fun-loving woman, who falls in love with Mark and his two young sons, inevitably marrying Mark and stepping into the “mom” role following the death of Mark’s first wife. Leigh loves her family and is a devoted wife and mother, loving and raising Mark’s two sons as her own. With no known reasoning, Leigh goes missing and finds herself chained in an unknown location, being starved and beaten, with no way out. Leigh recounts her life and what may have led to this, who may have put her there, and wonders if she’ll ever get out. Mark and the boys struggle with Leigh’s disappearance and the inconceivable information that is brought to light following Leigh’s absence. We’re taken on a journey through her life, while her family deals with the unthinkable.
The author really builds a storyline around the backstory and lives of the main characters in the beginning of the novel that felt a little unnecessary in achieving the connection needed to understand each character for the purpose of the book. Once I got into the storyline itself though (around the halfway point), I really started to enjoy it, wanting to read as much as I could. I loved the twists and turns, thinking I had it figured out, but then being pulled in a different direction wondering what would happen next! There were edge-of-your-seat moments, and plot twists that were exciting to read, which is exactly what I look for in a good thriller! For the amount of backstory and time put into the moments surrounding Leigh’s disappearance, though, it wrapped up quickly and suddenly, leaving some loose ends and question marks. I felt no closure in finishing the book. There needed to be more detail and wrap-up as to what happens. I was hopeful for a sequel, thinking maybe the author had decided to release the second part of this story in another book, but it appears her 2022 release One Last Secret is unrelated to her last. I can’t help but feel a little disappointed. That being said, it was an entertaining read and I definitely believe there’s an audience for this book.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.