Local Woman Missing: A Novel of Domestic Suspense

4.4 out of 5

60,721 global ratings

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER—OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD!

"Dark and twisty, with white-knuckle tension and jaw-dropping surprises." —Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of Home Before Dark

In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense Mary Kubica, author of Just the Nicest Couple, takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

People don't just disappear without a trace…

Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.

Now, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they'll find…

Don't miss Mary Kubica's chilling upcoming novel, She's Not Sorry, where an ICU nurse accidentally uncovers a patient's frightening past...

Look for these other edge-of-your-seat thrillers by New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica:

  • The Good Girl
  • Pretty Baby
  • Don’t You Cry
  • Every Last Lie
  • When the Lights Go Out
  • The Other Mrs.
  • Just The Nicest Couple
  • She's Not Sorry

378 pages,

Kindle

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Hardcover

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Audio CD

First published May 17, 2021

ISBN 9780778311669


About the authors

Mary Kubica

Mary Kubica

Mary Kubica is a New York Times bestselling author of suspense thrillers including The Good Girl, The Other Mrs., and Local Woman Missing. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. She’s been described as “a helluva storyteller” (Kirkus) and “a writer of vice-like control” (Chicago Tribune), and her novels have been praised as “hypnotic” (People) and “thrilling and illuminating” (L.A. Times). She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and children.

Visit Mary at http://www.marykubica.com/

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Reviews

Shannon

Shannon

5

well written and captivating

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2024

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I loved this book so much! The storyline became slightly predictable once information came to light but it was still enjoyable through the end.

Farrah B

Farrah B

5

A Riveting Page-Turner with Unpredictable Twists!

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024

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I was completely captivated by “Local Woman Missing: A Novel of Domestic Suspense” from the very first page. The storyline is intricately woven, with each character adding a new layer of suspense and intrigue. The author masterfully builds tension, and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.

The twist towards the end caught me entirely by surprise, making the late-night reading session until 2 AM well worth it. The characters are well-developed, and their complex relationships add depth to the narrative. The pacing is perfect, gradually escalating the suspense until the explosive climax.

One aspect I particularly appreciated was the realistic portrayal of domestic life and the underlying tensions that can exist behind closed doors. It added a chilling layer of authenticity to the story. The writing is crisp and engaging, making it easy to lose track of time while reading.

If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with unexpected twists, “Local Woman Missing” is a must-read. It’s a book that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping, well-crafted suspense novel.

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5 people found this helpful

K Farrell

K Farrell

5

Exceptional read

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024

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I loves this book. Very well written. I especially Loved how the author would lead you through a paragraph with wonderful descriptions keeping you in suspense before revealing an outcome or answer. Could not put it down and never a dull page. Brilliant!!

Debbie L

Debbie L

5

Local Woman Missing Book

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2024

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This book holds the attention of the reader. Has some unexpected twist that keep the reader engaged. Even though this is not my typical style of book, it was interesting and a good read.

Bethany W

Bethany W

5

Has you guessing & second guessing all the way to the end!

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024

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I haven’t read a thriller in a long time, purely because so many I’ve tried have been poorly written, or made it too obvious from the start. But this, this is pure artistry. I devoured it!

Mary Kubica grips you from the very beginning. This book has all the twists are turns that keep you guessing, then second guessing yourself until the very end.

You may think that you know, but do you really?

If you’re looking for an edge of your seat, suspenseful thriller, with loveable characters, beautifully written, and one not so easy to solve, then look no further than Local Woman Missing!

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Sun Stars

Sun Stars

4

Good fast read

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2024

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The story is good. I enjoyed the different viewpoints. I did not see that ending coming. Very enjoyable book all in all

2 people found this helpful

Meags

Meags

4

What a journey

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2024

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This is a novel of epic proportions. The author reveals the story of a missing woman and her daughter through the perspectives of a variety of characters. The story jumps between past and present and in the last quarter, reveals some unbelievable events.

There are a few loose ends and information that is obviously included as a red herring, distracting from the true villain. 🦹 Otherwise this was a great book. I didn’t necessarily see the end coming though I had suspicions early on about who the bad guy was. Will definitely be picking up more books by this author.

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Arla Freeman

Arla Freeman

4

Engaging book!

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024

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This book was engaging and had some good plot twists. The prologue reeled me in from the start. I liked the different character narrations and felt like it came together nicely. The ending didn't shock me and I felt like it was a little predictable but still worked well.

2 people found this helpful

browniemama

browniemama

4

Great Story

Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2024

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Liked the book, but going back and forth not only between several people but between eleven years difference was confusing and difficult to keep up with! Almost needed Cliff notes! And as to the original cause of this mess, it wasn’t even addressed as to how the initial “crime” was solved. Enjoyed book, interesting storyline, but would not read author again.

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Bhaskar Kahali

Bhaskar Kahali

4

Local Woman Missing: A Gripping Disappearance with Twists and Turns

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024

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Mary Kubica's "Local Woman Missing" is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The story unfolds in a small, seemingly peaceful community that's rocked by the disappearance of two women, Shelby Tebow and Meredith Dickey, along with Meredith's young daughter, Delilah. The novel is narrated from multiple perspectives, including members of the affected families, friends, and neighbors, as well as by a mysterious stranger. This allows readers to piece together the puzzle from various angles, building suspense and raising questions about each character's motives and secrets. Kubica does an excellent job of portraying the emotional toll the disappearances take on the characters. The desperation of the families, the frustration of the police, and the growing fear within the community are all palpable. The novel also explores the complexities of family relationships, particularly the bond between mothers and daughters. Some key considerations -

  1. Twists and Reveals: The book is full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When you think you've figured things out, Kubica throws in a new piece of information that changes everything.
  2. Well-developed characters: Despite the multiple perspectives, Kubica creates well-developed characters that readers can connect with. Each character has flaws and vulnerabilities, making them all the more realistic.
  3. Fast Pace: The story moves quickly, with short chapters that make it easy to devour the book in one sitting.
  4. Slow Start: Some readers might find the beginning of the book to be slow, as Kubica sets the scene and introduces the characters. However, the pace picks up quickly once the disappearances occur. Overall, "Local Woman Missing" is a well-written and suspenseful thriller that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It's an excellent choice if you're looking for a book to keep you guessing and emotionally invested.

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