I can't remember the last time I was up to 3am, unable to stop until I found out the end of a story. Along with being a good mystery, this was a very good sketch of New York in 2009 at the beginning of the great recession and what it was like coming of age at that time. Lindsey, the main character, is a likable fact checker struggling with a childhood history of low self esteem and of not quite fitting in. She has carried these traits into adulthood and has dealt with them by drinking. She has a best friend, Edie, who is a charismatic fashion student has been Lindsey's entre" into a group of "hipsters" at a Brooklyn loft where Edie lives. On a cataclysmic summer night, Edie is found shot dead and her death is ruled a suicide. Lindsey cannot remember what happened due to a blackout. Now, ten years later, Lindsey sets out to find out the truth of what happened that night.

While Lindsey is the primary voice telling the story, other characters occasionally make an appearance and narrate for short bits. I felt these interludes were an interruption to the flow of the narrative and could easily have been left out.

This book could have been written in 20 pages. Instead, I slogged through the entire thing waiting for something - anything - to happen to redeem this long drawn out book of post adolescent angst, drinking, sex hookups with no end in sight. Edie killed herself - or did she? Ten years later her friend tries to unravel the mystery. Slogging through old photos, videos, discussions with friends etc. and the ending, when it finally came was anticlimactic. A real ‘who cares.’

Most of us have a had a night out and we wake up and can't remember how it ended... maybe it was because we were tired or maybe alcohol came into play. The Lost Night touches heavily on a night like this. Edie is a popular 23 year old who takes her own life... or does she? Ten years later, Lindsey is reflecting on Edie and how her life ended. Is there more to what happened than Lindsey remembers? Read and you will find out. I will be recommending The Lost Night to my friends and coworkers. I was stunned but how it ended and you will be too.

I am thankful for NetGalley giving me an advanced copy of The Lost Night in exchange for an honest review.

For everyone who loves a great mystery/thriller, The Lost Night is a MUST READ! Andrea Bartz did a fantastic job with creating an addictive “who done it”! The pacing was perfect- there are several smaller mysteries within a larger mystery that will keep you on the hook until the very end. I enjoyed that Andrea Bartz told The Lost Night through several character’s perspectives, changing viewpoints added so much to the storyline! I literally found this 5 star novel unputdownable and I definitely can’t wait for more from Andrea Bartz!

I wasn't sure what to think and still am not. There are some things to really recommend this book, and some that weren't so thrilling.
The narrator, Lindsay reflects on a really fun time for her and her crew in '90's New York. Lots of kids, parties, drink, drugs, sex, shifting alliances and friendships. One of the more attractive yet mercurial girls is found dead and it appears to be suicide. But why?

As the people drift apart and grow she ants to go back and figure out what happened that fateful night. Her research reveals all sorts of secrets that all culminate in a shocking revelation.

The idea of the story isn't that novel but what kept me reading were some of the language and phrasing of the author. Although she seems pretty young (relative to me) yet I found some of her perspectives as applicable to me. There were some lovely allusions and descriptions of feelings and reactions.

The red herrings and misdirection are a little frustrating, but I guess I can see how they fit into the story.
Overall, its well written, and if this author applies her skill to a more novel storyline, I would really look forward to her next work.

Thanks to #NetGalley for this ARC

I absolutely hate giving poor reviews but I know it's part of why we do this. Unfortunately, this novel was a lackluster version of what a thriller should be. I felt that the predictability and suspense that Bartz attempted to portray did not come through in the writing. The characters were underdeveloped and there was too much time spent on superficial dialog. I begged for it to get better, for the characters to broaden, or deepen in perspective but it just did not happen and the plot fell flat. 2 stars.

I found this book to be a perfect slice of the early 2000’s. Everyone was so self absorbed and a bit clueless. The change that occurred to all of them in the next ten years was very realistic. It was an interesting book even though I am much older. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review!

*yaaaaaaaawwwwnnn*

This book is reminiscent of a really bad Lifetime movie staring a bad actress from a 90's drama that you end up watching on a Sunday afternoon because you can't find the remote.

The Lost Night lost me about halfway through when I realized it was turning into the typical whodunnit only without the who.

I had a suspicion of who the killer was but kept dismissing the thoughts in hopes of a less obvious outcome. Although I guessed the killer, I hadn't yet figured out the why until it was revealed.

The reveal was painfully cliché in it's execution with the guilty party giving a long, detailed and convoluted account of the implausible chain of events leading up to and following the murder. I mean this scene goes on and on and on and becomes more ridiculous by the page.

The lead protagonist, Lindsay, is an unbearably annoying character with the mental fortitude of a teenager rather than a woman in her 30's.

The writing is very wordy and I found myself skimming through paragraphs of relentless dialogue.

2.5 Stars rounded up to 3 for effort


I was provided an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was a terrific read! I enjoyed every page. It was quite a long novel, but it didn’t need to be shortened. Every page was essential in moving the plot & characters forward. Ms. Bartz wrote a very moving & memorable novel. While the focus was on the main character Lindsay, Edie was also a main character even in her absence. The outlying characters (Lindsay’s friends) were deeply moving, realistic & empathetic. The reader is able to see & understand the development & evolution through the years of Lindsay as a person. The plot was intricate, intense & suspensful.
I’ve not read any novels by Andrea Bartz before, & plan on buying more of her novels.
The editing was superb. I found no typos or grammatical errors.
While I would charscterize this novel as “women’s fiction”, I’d also consider it “psychological drama”, both of which are among my favorite genres.

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review this remarkable novel!

It’s been nearly a decade since Edie committed suicide. She was such a wild, vibrant young woman that none of her friends could believe it. Now, Lindsay has a successful career as a researcher in publishing. When she comes across video of that terrible night, Lindsay begins to question her memories of her friend’s death and whether she was involved. Plenty of surprises kept me guessing