Where They Found Her

When I read Reconstructing Amelia I couldn’t wait for the next book. It was outstanding. Then I read her last book which was good, and did have a surprise ending. Now I’m reading Where They Found Her and I’m only on page 25 and there is enough excessive “F”, A-H and so many other unnecessary colorful descriptive words I’m ready to stop reading. I dont mind a few words thrown in here and there for effect occasionally, but think this this is overkill. Had I known this, I would not have purchased this book. Every book from every writer has used these words but not to excess. I’m just hoping the storyline improves so this book has not been a total waste of my money.

Definitely a mommy book the trials and tribulations of motherhood, but more too. There are times when the past can intersect with the present with devastating consequences. Molly Anderson, who recently lost a child in childbirth is a neophyte cultural reporter for a small paper in a NJ university town, where her husband is a professor. Because the regular guy is off, Molly is suddenly assigned to cover the death of a baby found in a creek just outside the campus.

In doing some background for her story, Molly finds that there had been an accidental death of a teenage boy at the same spot twenty years prior. Many of the people she has met in town are from that era, but all are reticent to go there. All of the middle-aged moms she meets seem to have issues with either their children or husbands or both. Thrown into the pot is the fact one of the mothers is missing, in addition to a teenage girl from another family.

Molly is forced to overcome her emotional reaction to the babys death and try to digest the connections of these people and any links to the two deaths, past and present. Much to her dismay, it all bubbles to the top.

Well-plotted story with several threads that more or less converge. The characters are not particularly compelling. Nonetheless, an interesting book.

I LOVED Reconstructing Amelia, so when I found out Kimberly McCreight had recently published a new book, Where They Found Her, I was super excited about reading it. When it was delivered on Friday, I immediately delved into the twisty story and did not stop reading until it was finalized.

The setting of Where They Found Her is Ridgedale, New Jersey, a small college town. Molly Sanderson and her husband are recent transplants with Justin’s new teaching position in the English department and Molly branching out as a reporter for the local newspaper. She is still grieving the loss of their second child, a stillborn daughter. Filling in for another reporter, Molly is called out to report on a body that has been discovered near a bridge, adjacent to the college.When she learns that the body is that of a newborn baby girl, she must not only face her continued grief over her loss, but also report the story to the best of her ability.

Where They Found Her is narrated by three women: Molly, Barbara, the mother of one of Molly’s daughter’s classmates, and Sandy, a teenager whose drug addicted mother has gone missing. Intermingled are flashbacks from other characters, Molly’s new reports on the case, and transcripts from Molly’s therapy sessions following the death of her baby. There are a TON of characters thrown at the reader in a very short time, along with numerous details, so it almost seems necessary to keep notes in order to keep track of all the characters, how they are related, and how each piece fits into the puzzle. Characters who do not, at first, appear to be part of the overall picture end up playing vital roles as the story unfolds. Little snippets are dropped and it is ultimately up to the reader to put all the parts together. It, at times, was a bit confusing.

While I really enjoyed the story (evidently, since I finished it in less than a day), I think the biggest issue was that there were just so many different stories in the novel that McCreight was trying to have come together. At times, it felt a little forced. Overall, I give Where They Found Her a 7.5 out of 10, but trust me when I say that should not stop you from reading the novel. It is still very captivating. 🙂

I have always been a fan of murder mysteries. This one does not disappoint. I loved everything about this book, from the front cover, all the way to the back cover. McCreight leads you on and lets you think you know exactly what’s happening. She had me going all the way to the end. At the end, she pulls a fast one on us and throws some wicked curve balls. You think you’ve got it, but trust me, it’s a fun read. This story is believable, all the way down to the comment threads within the story. If you enjoy those “gotcha” moments with your suspense, I strongly recommend this book. Kimberly McCreight has an easy-to-read writing style, with relatable, likeable characters (…and, some not so likeable characters. Who doesn’t know that “over-the-top,” judgmental mother with the “perfect” family?). The story line is well developed and the twists and turns at the end are such an amazing reward for your time investment. Great story! I give this read 5 bright, shiny stars. I will be reading more books from this author.

i did find this book somewhat difficult to follow as it jumped between characters & time frames but eventually got this into gear towards the end. I found the plot quite intricate & perhaps that’s what held me together. I referred back to my library & in 2017 had read Deconstructing Amy & obviously enjoyed kit enough to purchase this book. I would recommend this to friends with my brief opinion, after all we all have differeing ideas about books we enjoy or not so much.

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