ALL THE MISSING GIRLS by Megan Miranda
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

ALL THE MISSING GIRLS shakes up the suspense genre with a unique way of telling the story: backward. At first, I wasn’t sure how this set up would work considering it’s a mystery, but in the end I have to say that it worked very well and added to my enjoyment of the book. I listened to this on audio, narrated by the talented Rebekkah Ross.

It begins with Nic (Nicolette) returning to her childhood home of Cooley Ridge because of her ailing father. Nic left Cooley Ridge ten years earlier, just after her best friend Corinne disappeared. Then suddenly, a decade later, another young woman goes missing – Annaleise, the girlfriend of Nic’s high school boyfriend, Tyler.

Could the two cases be related? Nic is frantic to find out the truth. The story is then told from Day 15 (after Nic’s arrival in Cooley Ridge) to Day 1. The details of the women’s disappearances are slowly revealed, as well as the major players in the mystery. Going backward, you’re never quite sure what’s already happened, what the characters already know, and who’s reliable or not. It was a genius way to add to the suspense. Sure, it’s more of a challenge to read a book this way, but well worth it. It all wrapped up with a completely surprising ending. 4.5 stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.