What is the book Then She Was Gone about?
Then She Was Gone, written by Lisa Jewell, is a gripping psychological thriller centered around Laurel, a mother whose teenage daughter, Ellie, vanished without a trace ten years ago. Laurel's life takes a turn when she meets Floyd, a charming man, and grows close to his daughter Poppy, who bears a striking resemblance to Ellie. This leads Laurel to confront deep-seated grief and the haunting questions about her daughter's disappearance, exploring themes of obsession and hidden truths.
What genre is Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell?
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is classified as a thriller, combining strong elements of mystery and suspense. It falls within the psychological thriller and domestic drama subgenres, showcasing interwoven character perspectives and intricate plot twists; these features create a gripping and tense atmosphere throughout the narrative.
How many chapters are in Then She Was Gone?
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell contains 35 chapters, with each chapter revealing pieces of the unfolding mystery, drawing you deeper into the storyline as it progresses.
Then She Was Gone summary
Laurel Mack’s life is turned upside down when her 15-year-old daughter, Ellie, goes missing without a trace. For the next ten years, Laurel is haunted by the unanswered questions about Ellie’s fate. This heart-wrenching incident shatters her marriage and complicates her relationships with her two other children, who are also struggling with the loss but somehow find ways to cope.
Years later, in an attempt to embrace a new beginning, Laurel starts dating a man named Floyd. Just as she begins to open her heart to him, she meets his young daughter, Poppy. Remarkably, Poppy bears a striking resemblance to Ellie, causing Laurel to question everything she thought she knew about her daughter's disappearance. The emotional link to Ellie reignites her suspicions and opens up the past that she had been trying to forget.
Leaning into her intuition, Laurel decides to investigate her daughter's case afresh. This hunt for the truth brings startling discoveries to light. Ellie’s belongings turn up unexpectedly, sparking new hope and intense speculation that perhaps Ellie might still be alive. Laurel also uncovers troubling information about Floyd’s ex-wife, Noelle, whose tumultuous relationship with Floyd’s family casts a shadow over their lives and connects further ties to Ellie’s fate.
Reaching out to Floyd's older daughter, Sara-Jade, Laurel learns that her concerns about Noelle are justified. Sara-Jade shares a deep-seated animosity towards Noelle and hints about explosive family dynamics in the past. These revelations lead Laurel deeper into the mystery, uncovering layers of pain, control, and hidden truths about her own family's relationship with Floyd's world.
As the tension unfolds, it unearths a shocking twist: Poppy is Ellie’s daughter. Therefore, Ellie, who everyone presumed dead, has been hidden away from the world. The story takes a darker turn when Floyd confesses that he kidnapped Ellie after she became pregnant, forcing her into a life of secrecy. In a tragic and final twist, he reveals that he killed Noelle after blaming her for shattering his family.
Floyd's confession leads to a gut-wrenching revelation for Laurel; he entrusts Poppy, Ellie’s child, to her care. This moment offers Laurel a chance to forge a new relationship with her granddaughter and fills a void that Ellie’s disappearance left behind. However, the weight of his truth becomes too much for Floyd, who ultimately succumbs to despair, taking his own life.
Laurel's journey begins in profound grief but transforms into one of healing and renewal. She finds a way to rebuild her connections, notably with her younger daughter, Hanna, and embraces the opportunity to nurture Poppy as a maternal figure. The novel concludes on a hopeful note, highlighting Laurel’s ability to rise above sorrow and foster new bonds derived from mystery, deception, and the reclaiming of family.
How does Then She Was Gone end?
Laurel uncovers the horrifying truth about her daughter Ellie’s fate. She learns that Floyd, the man she grew close to, is behind Ellie’s kidnapping; he held her captive for years and even killed Noelle, Poppy’s legal mother. The weight of this revelation is immense as it shakes the foundations of the life Laurel thought she was rebuilding.
On Christmas Eve, after leaving a farewell video for Laurel, Floyd drives away and takes his own life, ending his long manipulation over Ellie. Meanwhile, Ellie remains trapped in Floyd's basement, trapped in a haunting silence and wearing a Christmas dress he gifted her. This contrast between innocence and horror underlines the unresolved trauma surrounding her disappearance and the darkness that lingers on.
Laurel finally gets closure when Floyd reveals where Noelle’s body is hidden. This grim answer helps her face the horrible truth behind Ellie’s disappearance. While she brings Poppy, Floyd’s daughter, into her life, creating a new sense of family, the bittersweet nature of this reconfiguration brings complex emotions. The ending signals Laurel’s journey towards healing, even as she wrestles with the pain linked to Floyd's crimes and Ellie’s profound absence.
Who are the main characters in Then She Was Gone?
- Ellie Mack: A bright, charming 15-year-old girl who mysteriously disappears, impacting her family deeply.
- Laurel Mack: Ellie’s mother, a strong yet vulnerable woman consumed by grief and determined to find her daughter.
- Floyd Dunn: A charismatic stranger who enters Laurel’s life, linked to the mystery of Ellie’s disappearance.
- Poppy Dunn: Floyd’s quirky, intelligent 9-year-old daughter, she resembles Ellie and influences the emotional tone of the story.
- Noelle Donnelly: Ellie’s math tutor, who struggles with mental instability and plays a key role in the dark plot.
- Hanna: Laurel’s other daughter, she adds depth to the family dynamics while coping with the loss of Ellie.
Frequently asked questions
How did Ellie get pregnant in Then She Was Gone?
Ellie got pregnant because Noelle secretly inseminated her with frozen sperm while Ellie was asleep. This was part of Noelle’s plan to baby-trap Floyd, the man she was involved with. At first, Ellie didn’t realize how she became pregnant, and Noelle claimed it was a miracle.
How did Ellie die in Then She Was Gone?
Ellie died from a severe infection after giving birth alone in a basement. She developed mastitis, which is typically treatable, but her kidnapper, Noelle, neglected her care. This lack of treatment led to Ellie's death from the untreated infection.
How old is Poppy in Then She Was Gone?
Poppy is 9 years old in Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. She is portrayed as a precocious and mature child, and her age is mentioned in several reviews and discussions about the book.