Reviewing: And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall

Read time: 2 minutes

📚 Genre: Mystery Thriller
🎧 Format: Audiobook
📢 Narrated by: Je Nie Fleming
⏱ Duration: 12 hours
👥 Read as a part of Book Club Reads (Theme: Missing Women)

Book Blurb:

In “And Now She’s Gone,” Rachel Howzell Hall presents a gripping psychological thriller set in Los Angeles, following newbie private investigator Grayson Sykes as she searches for a missing woman entangled in a web of secrets and domestic abuse. The novel explores powerful themes of violence, resilience, and the complexities of abusive relationships, especially within communities of color, layered with suspense and emotional depth.

Let’s talk about the book:

I started reading And Now She’s Gone as a part of my book club’s Book of the Month. This suspense thriller is not for the faint of heart. The story dives deep into the painful realities of domestic abuse, and the intensity of the abuse depicted was simply too much for me to handle. While the writing is compelling and Hall skillfully builds suspense in this gripping domestic thriller, the heavy subject matter makes this a challenging read for anyone sensitive to trauma or abuse.

The novel’s pacing and atmospheric writing deliver a tense, noir feel, enhanced by strong character development and vivid prose. A thrilling mystery with a fresh spin, a Black woman PI shaking up the noir genre. The setup hooked me fast: Grayson Sykes, a rookie investigator, chasing a missing woman, Isabel Lincoln, in the buzzing streets of Los Angeles. Hall’s writing is sharp, vivid, and packed with sensory details that paint the city like a character itself. The prose pops with witty dialogue and offbeat metaphors, making every page feel alive. For fans of crime fiction, this domestic suspense novel promises a rollercoaster of secrets and lies, with Grayson’s inexperience adding a relatable edge to her sleuthing.

Would I recommend it?

And Now She’s Gone is a must-read for thriller fans who crave a fresh, diverse take on noir with complex characters and a twisty plot. However, the intense domestic abuse themes were too overwhelming for me, making it a tough read to complete. If you’re sensitive to these topics, you might want to approach with caution. For those who can handle the raw emotion, this mystery book recommendation delivers a powerful punch.

No rating as I didn’t finish the book

Share your thoughts:

Have you read a thriller that tackled tough themes so hard it changed your perspective? Drop your thoughts and recommendations for domestic abuse suspense novels in the comments!

Book links:

Amazon CA
Goodreads
Follow Rachell Howzell Hall on her author page