Book Review: "Invisible Girl" by Lisa Jewell
“Invisible Girl” by Lisa Jewell
Synopsis: Owen Pick's life is falling apart. In his thirties and living in his aunt's spare bedroom, he has just been suspended from his job as a teacher after accusations of sexual misconduct--accusations he strongly denies. Searching for professional advice online, he is inadvertently sucked into the dark world of incel forums, where he meets a charismatic and mysterious figure.
Across the street from Owen lives the Fours family, headed by mom Cate, a physiotherapist, and dad Roan, a child psychologist. But the Fours family have a bad feeling about their neighbor Owen. He's a bit creepy and their teenaged daughter swears he followed her home from the train station one night.
Meanwhile, young Saffyre Maddox spent three years as a patient of Roan Fours. Feeling abandoned when their therapy ends, she searches for other ways to maintain her connection with him, following him in the shadows and learning more than she wanted to know about Roan and his family. Then, on Valentine's night, Saffyre disappears--and the last person to see her alive is Owen Pick.
Rating (out of 5): 3.5
Review: Lisa Jewell belongs to the set of British mystery writers who are always reliable for a compelling and fun read. Like Ruth Ware and Fiona Barton, you know you’re bound to get a good hook and a great deal of suspense. Unfortunately, I have found that the quality of her books is variable. This one, as quickly as I raced to the end, and as well as the suspense was maintained, left me feeling unsatisfied.
Saffyre, reeling from being discharged from the care of her beloved child psychologist, Roan Fours, begins lightly stalking his family, including his wife, Cate—still wounded and suspicious from recent marital struggles. Neighbor Owen Pick, after being let go from work after allegations of misconduct, finds himself continuously in the wrong place at the wrong time, as attacks are reported in the neighborhood, and eventually Saffyre goes missing.
Jewell keeps us guessing about the real perpetrator, as we learn the dark secrets of all potential suspects, including Cate and Roan’s teenage son. This is where the writing is truly excellent: the suspense is expertly built and no one’s behavior is quite befitting that of an innocent person.
Unfortunately, the suspense can’t make up for an ending where some issues are tied up too neatly and others not neatly enough. I found myself a bit let down at the conclusion after having been so invested in the plot the whole time. It is absolutely worth a read, but temper your expectations where the ending is concerned.
TL;DR: Absorbing and unputdownable, as all of Jewell’s books are. Unfortunately, reading it is a bit like eating a bowl of popcorn—you tear through it and then don’t feel sated.
If you liked this; try:
“The Turn of the Key” by Ruth Ware (Bookshop | Kindle) my review here
“The Nanny” by Gilly Macmillan (Bookshop | Kindle) my review here
“One by One” by Ruth Ware: (Bookshop | Kindle) (review coming soon!)
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