Today I am reviewing Elizabeth is Missing for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in return for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): In this darkly riveting debut novel, a sophisticated psychological mystery, one woman will stop at nothing to find her best friend, who seems to have gone missing…
Despite Maud’s growing anxiety about Elizabeth’s welfare, no one takes her concerns seriously – not her frustrated daughter, not her caretakers, not the police, and especially not Elizabeth’s mercurial son – because Maud suffers from dementia. But even as her memory disintegrates and she becomes increasingly dependent on the trail of handwritten notes she leaves for herself in her pockets and around the house, Maud cannot forget her best friend. Armed with only an overwhelming feeling that Elizabeth needs her help, Maud resolves to discover the truth – no matter what it takes.
As this singular obsession forms a cornerstone of Maud’s rapidly dissolving present, the clues she uncovers lead her deeper into her past, to another unsolved disappearance: that of her sister, Sukey, who vanished shortly after World War II. As vivid memories of a tragedy that occurred more than fifty years ago come flooding back, Maud’s search for Elizabeth develops a frantic momentum. Whom can she trust? Can she trust herself?
A page-turning novel of suspense, Elizabeth is Missing also hauntingly reminds us that we are all at the mercy of our memory. Always compelling, often poignant, and at times even blackly witty, this is an absolutely unforgettable novel.
My review: What sets this mystery apart from others is the dementia of the protagonist. What an amazing choice for this author to make! The standard mystery devices are all there: a missing person, clues, time, place, characters past and present, the need to solve the mystery. But filtering all of that through the mind of a woman who at one moment has a thought only to forget that thought completely a moment later changes everything. Healey writes beautifully and compassionately. She manages to take us on a journey seen through the eyes and thoughts of Maud; living on her own, coping with daily caregivers, writing notes to herself so she will not forget what to get at the store, or how to make tea, or what to say to the police. What Healey creates for her readers is a real sense of the frustration and embarrassment and fear that Maud (or anyone else with dementia) feels as she struggles to remember that one thought, that one clue, that one thing she must convey to others.
I confess to being completely blown away by this novel. My mother suffered from dementia in the months before her recent death. So did my grandmother. Maud’s struggles hit home in a way that is painful, but ultimately, so important.
So, not only do we have the mysteries of the human mind to contemplate, we also have the very real mystery of the missing Elizabeth, along with the disappearance of Maud’s beloved sister Sukey so many years before. Moving back and forth between the past and the present, Maud struggles to find some answers.
Healey writes so movingly about what it must be like to be elderly and forgetful; the embarrassed looks of others, the sense that no one takes Maud seriously, the ‘there, there’ kind of placating she receives, the pity, and the reality that no one really ‘sees’ her anymore. One of my favorite passages:
Everyone in the congregation is a bit dressed up. Or they’ve made some effort, anyway, winding silk scarves around their necks or sliding sparkly things into their hair. I feel rather drab and shy for a few minutes. But then I remember that I am old and nobody is looking at me.”
Breaks my heart.
I loved this book. Emma Healey is a wonderful writer and I guarantee you will be as moved as I was as you take this journey with Maud – a character that is drawn fully, completely and beautifully.
And one you will not soon forget.
About the author: Emma Healey holds a degree in bookbinding and an MA in Creative Writing. Elizabeth is Missing is her first novel. She lives in the UK.
Good news: one of you will win a copy of Elizabeth is Missing. Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered. I will pick a winner on Friday evening. Good luck!
Happy Tuesday.
Good Morning Claudia, Wow, this book sounds so good! I love the name of your new book blog. Have a great day, Doris
Hello Claudia,
I am new to your site but am enjoying it very much. I haven’t read Emma’s book but would like the chance to do so. Thank you for the opportunity. Have a great day and I will look forward to reading more on your blog. Kathi in Florida
Your review is compelling. I am adding Elizabeth is Missing to my list of must reads. Thanks Claudia.
I would love to win a copy of this book, but would definitely put it on my list. Thanks
Your review has lured me in!
This sounds like a great book for my book club. I’d love a chance to win a copy.
What a fascinating angle to take. I do love a good mystery.
This sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the give-away!
The book sounds wonderful. I plan to read it.
Thanks
Linda
I have had y eye on this one. I hope to read it too.””
Harvee
Book Dilettante
Sounds good. Count me in.
Claudia, your excellent review makes me want to read this story very soon – these days everything has to be done ‘very soon’ just in case! That a young writer can ‘get inside’ the head of an older person with dementia, and enthrall with what appears to be quite a complicated story, is definitely titillating. Finding my memory is not always as good as it used to be often brings concern and sadness – in fact I just mentioned to Bob on his 74th birthday a few days back, how amazing the brain is to be able to recall so much when we are this old! I think blogging, along with plenty of reading, is so good for the brain, don’t you?
Have a lovely day dear – your garden must be a picture after all that rain. Will be close to 100F here today – I’m taking granddaughter to the mall to shop for a swimsuit – sounds perfect as we’ll be out of that blazing sun for a few hours!
Hugs – Mary
I thought this book looked good when I came across it in my review journals. Now, I can hardly wait to read it. Thanks for the terrific review!
Sounds like a wonderful read & I’ve put it on my “to read” list. Great review!
Claudia, sounds like a must-read for me. My MIL is suffering with mild dementia and the 3 siblings and spouses take turns over seeing her care, as she has a strong desire to continue to live independently. I adore mysteries and this author sounds like a winner! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
This book would appeal to my book club. We are all very “senior” and some have faced this in their family. I would like to win this book. I will definitely look for it in my library.
Not sure if this is a book I would buy at this time. I will have to think about it some more.
Wow! I would love to read this book. It is now on my list. Thanks!
Lorinda
This book sounds very good; I’m in!
Oh my! I didn’t know that a person could be asked to review a book! And then to offer one in a give away! Today I happened upon your blog through Laughing with Angels blog. I liked the name of your website. Not only does it have the name “bird” in your sites title, but “hill” and “cottage” too, all of which are things I love. And I like to read, although any mysteries I read are of the “cozy” venue as I do not like trauma, sad events that I have no way of altering, and blood and gore and horror. The book you reviewed however sounds interesting because of the dementia in the main character. That will make it tolerable to read I hope! The picture at the end of this page with the little lamb with the party hat is adorable. I have some lambs like this, the name slips by me now (early dementia?!? No!)and I will definitely put hats on them at Easter when I display them, perhaps crowns when I display them at Christmas. God Bless you with many enjoyable reading hours!
Me again to say the dogs in your picture on the sidebar are so beautiful! Just lovely and would have loved to know them and hug them. Your home is very pretty too!
Karen, I am a fan of Claudia’s blogs, and I just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your delightful comments. Are you English, by chance? Your prose reminds me of people I knew in England, when I lived there some years ago.
What an intriguing premise for a book. It sounds like something I’d enjoy reading. Dementia is heartbreaking, as you well know. A protagonist with dementia would be a challenge to write and interesting to read.
This sounds like a wonderful novel! My neighbor was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I hear frustration in her daily trials. it can be so devastating to a family. I’ve put this book on my to read list. Thank you
This is already on my “to-read” list as it sounds totally compelling. I don’t know if you ship to the UK but if you do I’d love to win my own copy of this.
What a great read. Thanks for the chance to win! As always, your reviews make me want to read every book, and I do read many of them. By the way, I love both of your blogs.
This book sounds compelling. As the child of a parent who lost her memory to early onset Alzheimer’s I have often wondered what was going through my mother’s mind during those years. At present I am part time caregiver for a beloved aunt who has had a series of ever worsening strokes. The last one robbed her of the ability to speak so she’s understood. But if she gets angry and just blurts out something we understand her. I often wonder what she’s thinking when I tell her I can’t understand what she’s saying. The way our brains work is just amazing.
This is a book that I would so love to read. My mother too, had dementia for some time before she died. How frightening and frustrating it was for her. Your review puts this book on my list for sure. thanks so much for sharing.
Based on your great review, I have just added this book to my must read list.
Love your book reviews, and the new book blog!!!
So many of us will see our loved ones in the protagonist. Thanks for the review, Claudia.
How interesting this character must be..I would love to read how she copes with the changes in her own mind and thoughts..Win or lose..I will be reading this one..Thanks for the chance Claudia!
Our mother has Alzheimer’s and we are her caregivers, so this novel intrigues me. You have totally turned me onto mysteries, Claudia, I never read many before your glowing reviews. I can’t wait to get into this one. Oh, I love your new blog, I’m guilty of uttering that phrase myself. Hedy
This book sounds absolutely fascinating! My mom’s travels through dementia lasted 15 years and I often sat and wondered what it must be like to know your mind is going away and leaving you behind. My mom pretended to the end that nothing was wrong. I can’t wait to read this book.
Tana
I am a mystery crazy and can’t get enough of them….this is so different and I was taken aback by the description of the book with the main character having dementia. My father died from complications of Alzheimer’s at an early age so this is close to my heart and currently I am working with my mom as she works through coping with not being able to care for herself at 82…this is definitely a must read although it will be hard to read at the same time.
Sounds like a wonderful book!
Put me in for the book. It sounds really good and there is a long wait at the library.
I have just started reading mysteries, began with the Louise Penny Three Pines Novels…on book #2 only. Read Still Life now A Fatal Grace. This books sounds like it would be wonderful to read also. Love your reviews. Very honest. Love the new book blog too.
That book sounds wonderful! The charactors sound facinating.
This sounds like something I could sink my teeth into. Certainly a unique and fascinating perspective. It’s on my list.
Sounds like another good book! Thanks for you reviews!
I too have lost a mother to Alzheimer’s. I am adding this to my list of books to read.
Mystery with a twist….fascinating! I’ll add this one to my list! ;)
I was a caregiver for 7 yrs to a beautiful lady who’s memory was fading ( don’t like the D word and hate the A word)
Would love to add this to my summer reads!!!
Love your blog
LeeAnn
This book sounds intriguing.
Shirley
Isn’t it amazing that a writer who is so young can write succinctly about something that she has not experienced in the first person?
Claudia, have you read “Astonish Me” by Maggie Shipstead? That book took my breath away. I don’t know how such a young person managed to capture a world, and an era, that pre-dated her birth, so brilliantly and accurately.
Anyway, your review is so intriguing, it makes me want to read “Elizabeth is Missing,” stat. And I will recommend it to my father, who loves mysteries, and lives in a retirement community, where the residents seem to fade away sweetly and gently, bit by bit, including my father himself.
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Also, like you, I am reading “The Silkworm,” and wonder if you are planning to review it. I have an approach-avoidance to books like that. If it were a television show, I would have turned it off long ago due to graphic content. But now I’m hooked, and can’t wait to find out who-done-it.
I will probably review it. Yes the murder scene is pretty graphic, that’s for sure!
Sounds like a book I would love. I have added it to my wish list.
Thank you for the review. pam
Two aunts are gripped by dementia. Because they are childless, their care is our responsibility. This book is something I must read.
I always enjoy your reviews! This book sounds good and so on the list it goes. :)
hugs, Linda
Claudia, first I apologize for not knowing about your mother’s passing. I was absent from blogland for a time and I must have missed this. I know you had posted about your lovely parents from time to time and I loved to hear your reminiscings about them. Please accept a long distance hug in rememberance of your mom.
Book sounds intriguing and I will put it on my list. “Still Alice” is another interesting book relating to this subject. Ann
This sounds like a good mystery with some different elements and the making of a good read. Would love to read it. Thanks for making one lucky person the recipient of this book.
Any book that receives such a glowing review is one worth winning!
I would love to enter my name in the drawing for this book! I love mysteries.
Melinda
The book sounds very good … enter me!
What an amazing premise! My late mother’s husband is suffering from dementia and can be overwhelming. I would love to read this book. Thank you for the chance to win.
Sounds like a very interesting book, I think I would enjoy reading it. Thanks for the review. Jen
This book sounds intriguing and scary at the same time. It would be interesting to read how this young author captures the daily realities of losing your memory, but scary because as we age this becomes something we fear and check ourselves on constantly.
Hey my friend! I know I’ve been MIA for several months… taking an extended break from my blog to get some art made and to explore the avenues of weaving! Anywho… being an Elizabeth I could hardly pass the chance up. Of course either way this sounds like something I am going to have to read! :D
Hope all is well and the summer is being kind to you :D
Hugs and in my thoughts always,
Beth P
Hi Claudia: I read your blog every day, but I’m not a commenter — except for the time I asked you to show us your rugs. I enjoy your book reviews, especially this one. I have a long wish list of reading, but for some reason this book has struck a chord. The passage you quoted got to me, too.
Claudia, who wouldn’t want to read this book after your review? I love that you have a way to read new novels and pass on the opportunity for others on your blog. I am sure you are happy to be home tinkering with your loved ones and things!
I love mysteries, and this one is pulling me in. I can’t wait to read it.
Still can’t decide if I like your book reviews or your doll house updates better. It’s a tie at this point.
Peggy
What a fascinating novel. Thanks for this great review and giveaway.
Thanks for being a part of the tour. Dementia is a scary, scary thing.
I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.
Your review speaks so well of this book that I feel I must read it. We all fear to become like Maud. What a great feat to have created a character like her that is both moving and believable. Would love to win this book.
harvee44@yahoo.com