Review: The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

Title:  The Night She Disappeared  

Author:  April Henry

Genre:  Young Adult Thriller

Publisher:  Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

Format:  NetGalley Digital Galley

Release Date:  March 13, 2012

What if you were targeted to be kidnapped but the kidnapper got the wrong girl?

Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part-time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Min Cooper was working.

Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her. She becomes obsessed with finding Kayla and teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to hopefully find her before she is (summary courtesy of publisher via NetGalley).

The Night She Disappeared is filled with mystery and intrigue. It chronicles the search for a missing girl utilizing various viewpoints. The two most important viewpoints are that of Gabie—the girl who was the kidnapper’s actual target—and Drew, the co-worker who was with Kayla the night she was taken. Gabie can’t let go of the fact that the kidnapper wanted her and Drew feels immense guilt that he took the order and sent Kayla out on a delivery that turned out to be a nightmare. Now Gabie and Drew are working together to prove that Kayla is not dead like everyone thinks. Hopefully they are right.

This is a great book to pick up if you want a book that is interesting and you need an afternoon to kill. I blew through it in less than 24 hours and enjoyed every minute of it. Is it the next literary giant killer that will stop everyone in their tracks because of its amazing writing and stunning prose? No, but it was fun to read. Does it have the most unbelievable character development since JRR Tolkien penned Lord of the Rings? No, but I enjoyed reading it just the same. Some times a book is just fun to read. The Night She Disappeared is a page turner that keeps you guessing from minute to minute. An enjoyable read for a dull, rainy afternoon.

I think this book is best read by older teens. The story is upsetting—a young girl disappears while working—and there is some disturbing imagery as well. It is definitely a book that will and should evoke a conversation between teens and their parents. I know it got me to talk to my girls about being safe (a repeat conversation for sure, but one worth repeating). All in all, this is a good book, intriguing and to an extent, thought provoking. 

My grade for The Night She Disappeared by April Henry: