Every single time I thought I knew what was happening in AND NOW SHE’S GONE the plot would twist and turn like a slippery fish and I would be back at square one with our heroine Grayson Sykes.

Grayson is a private investigator on her first solo case. She’s been tasked with tracking down Isabel Lincoln who has disappeared with her boyfriend’s beloved dog.

But is Isabel Lincoln actually missing? Is she dead? Or is she just running from a man she no longer wants to be with?

I loved this game of cat and mouse as Grayson searches for the truth. Howzell Hall created deeply layered characters who aren’t all what they initially seem. This book is so much richer than many crime fiction novels that are out right now.

It’s not a fast read and is on the longer side at 384 pages. But it is so worth it.

If you love character driven crime fiction, I highly recommend this one!

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Pub day post will be posted on Instagram account on 9/22

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the ARC of And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall. I recently read They All Fall Down and loved it, so I was excited to read her latest thriller.

Isabel Lincoln and Kenny G. (a Labradoodle) are missing and Grayson Sykes is up for the challenge of finding them. This is her first case a s a private investigator and she doesn’t want to let Dr. Ian O’Donnell, Isabel’s boyfriend down. After escaping a physically and mentally abusive marriage and a bursting appendix, Grayson must overcome her past in order to solve this seemingly similar mystery. Where are Isabel and Ian’s dog? Why did she disappear?

This book took me super long to read, as I had a difficult time getting through the writing. However, I forced myself to finish it in order to give an honest review. The story was intriguing, but the way the characters spoke to each other wasn’t natural and was hard to follow. Also, the use of last names (ie. Mrs.Dixon) for the flashbacks was confusing. It seems like the book could have used another edit before publishing. I also didn’t care for the useless repetition of insignificant things, such as Grey’s never ending supply of colorful linen pant suits that wrinkle constantly. The fact that she is always popping painkillers and driving bothered me as well. There are so many characters introduced in this book and many are not necessary to further the plot. It also seems like the author is trying to make a statement about racism, but then uses so many racist stereotypes that it made me uncomfortable. I enjoyed the mystery aspect, but sigh, the ending felt rushed and was not very believable. Finally, I am most dissatisfied that a few lingering questions were not answered.

2.5/5 stars

2.5 Stars

This story is told by two points of view via Gray and Isabel. Gray's story has a before and after, non-linear timeline. This format is usually my favourite but was a big miss for this time around.

There were some twists in this story but the majority was completely inadequate. I found Gray's story-line so frustrating as she was pretty naive and for someone who is supposed to be an investigator it had me shaking my head in disbelief.

This wasn't a bad book, by any means, but I found one of the main characters under developed and it just felt a little flat. I would give this author another try though as I did like the writing style.

What a page turner that was! Love a good missing person case and this one is a wild ride to say the least. My first book by Rachel Howzell Hall and it was so good. Another author to add to my list. There is so much going on in this story but it doesn’t get confusing or overwhelming at all. For such a long book I was surprised by at how quickly I read it.

Grayson Sykes is a private investigator in LA and has just been given her first case. All she has to do is track down the missing girlfriend of LA doctor Ian O’Donnell and get proof life, and get his dog back. Seems like a simple case right? If only! Isabel Lincoln doesn’t not want to be found, sending Grayson on a wild goose chase. The more Shen looks, the more Grayson discovers that this I not just a missing persons case. There is so much more to it than a woman hiding out. At the same time we learn more about Grayson and her past. I feel that we have not heard the last of her.

Thanks to Forge Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.

Grayson Sykes, 39-year-old Los Angeles Private Investigator, is finally given her first official job from her boss, and friend since she was a kid, Nick Rader (She also has a crush on Nick!) Her assignment is to find the girlfriend of a local doctor, Ian O’Donnell. Her name is Isabel Lincoln, she supposedly took the good doctor’s dog and she may not want to be found especially by Ian. All Gray needs to do is get a photo of Lincoln with a current newspaper and the dog and her work is done. If only it was that easy! As she searches, Gray realizes that Isabel has a similar history to Grays. Abusive men, foster homes, and shifting identities. This book was full of dark humor, and I loved the characters, especially Grayson. I'm hoping there will be another story in this series.!

I enjoyed this and thought it was twisty and a good page-turner, but was a little too full of holes and a little too unbelievable for my liking.

Overall, it's entertaining but not a new favourite!

This was my first by Rachel Howzell Hall and I really enjoyed it. Grayson is an amazing protagonist, she is real, she is raw and she is a badass! All what you need in a leading character. I found the pacing of the book to keep me at the edge of my seat. The story weaves together and at the end when I let out my sigh of finish it was a beautiful tapestry of a story!

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and chose to write and honest review!

Although I am an admitted Howzell-Hall STAN, I try to go into each book with a clean slate and not rate it against previous books... but sometimes a great writer cannot help but outdo themselves. I've read everything Rachel has written and...... this might be the best book by her that I have ever read. So far.
I read a lot of thrillers and crime novels. I Love a PI or detective novel, so a good one by an author that I know is going to give me a good story makes my day.
So I have to say that aside from the unrealistically (to me? What do I know?) long workdays and instant-like travel, this was a BANGER. Also? I love a good twist and.... she got me. SHE GOT ME! With every chapter, this book just gets so... twisty and turny and interesting. Not a boring sentence in the book. Not a wasted chapter. Not a single wasted plot point.

SUPER enjoyed this read!

This book is two stories in one, Our main character's story of how she got to be who and where she is and the mystery of Isabel Lincoln she as been tasked to solve as a private dectective. As Gray starts to investigate what was supposed to be an easy first assignment turns into a complicated mess that also exposes Gray to the dangers of her own past. What I thought was great about this book is how complicated the mystery turned out to be, I couldn't begin to unravel it and I enjoyed just being along for the ride. I also loved Gray as a character, I thought she had many layers and she was strong, funny, and smart while also being a hot mess half the time which is easily relatable. The book can get a little confusing with all the different names so I do recommend being in a more serious reading mode for this one, because one needs to be able to focus on all the details. I loved how strong of a character she wrote and the title was perfect! I would definitely recommend this one and Rachel Howzell Hall has turned into a must read author for me and I look forward to whatever she comes up with next!

Free copy received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Grayson Sykes is a PI in search of Isabel Lincoln. It's her first big case and she's determined to track down Isabel, but there's a lot standing in her way. A LOT. At times, the plot was very hard for me to follow because there is so much going on and so many different characters. There's also a lot of secrets and multiple sides to every story, so the build up takes quite a while in my opinion.

The author does make great use of blending the past with the present, filling in the reader on a need to know basis. The cast is full of diverse characters and it's hard not to cheer for Gray on her first PI "big break". I love strong female characters who are determined and tough and Gray has no shortage of these traits.

Dear fellow readers,

This book right here! It got me. The twist was great! I had to stop reading momentarily because I haven't been misdirected for a while now!

I've mentioned before how much I love detective stories. This book had all the components and reasons I love a good mystery. What really sealed the deal for me was the protagonist. Gray is great. The representation is amazing. For my female detective novel class, I felt like I found my calling in books genre wise. So Sara Paretsky, Sue Grafton, Patricia Cornwell, Agatha Christie, and P.D James all appeal to me because of the representation.

But Hall takes it one step further and gives it more depth. In this book a black woman is leading the investigation and she's got layers and a past. But so does her subject of investigation.

It's a long book but I devoured it. I'm so happy I read this! If any of the authors I mentioned are your jam check this out asap! If you love books with a good twist check this out. If you love a good villain check this out. Books centered around black women and their lives check this out!!!

Keywords: Shocking, layered, and identity driven.

TW: Domestic violence, abuse, and psychological abuse.

Swipe for photos taken this Sunday during my break at a family affair. We social distanced and wore masks of course. Thankfully, not many came! My grandmother did me the favor of posing for a few photos.

My family thought that teasing me about my reading at an event would stop me. Ha!
Check out Trish trying to stop me from reading.

Many thanks @forge @Netgalley @rhowzellhall
for the opportunity to read and review this gem!

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Thank you to NetGalley Canada and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It was my first Hall novel and I have heard great things about her other books. I found it difficult to follow the back and forth at the beginning but at around the halfway mark, there was a noticeable shift and I felt myself more engaged in the story. I also felt the book was very detail heavy (mainly the main characters inner dialogue) and there was also too many supporting characters and storylines which actually worked to detract from the mystery. That being said, I did not see the ending coming and I thought it was really well done. There are some sensitive topics layered throughout this novel.

And Now She’s Gone is available September 22, 2020.

While this book kept me guessing until the very end, I really struggled to follow the story. There were so many characters, timelines, and storylines that it was at times difficult to keep up.

I picked this up because of how much I enjoyed the author’s Elouise Norton series. It ended up being an ok read for purely subjective reasons.

Hall knows how to spin a story & what you get here are 2 that eventually intersect. One details the search for a missing woman while the other informs us how & why the MC ended up in her current situation. Her writing skills are never in doubt. What I found instead was I simply preferred the MC & more procedural style of the previous series.

This one focuses on newbie private investigator Grayson Sykes. Initially she comes across as a bumbling young woman forever searching for lost keys, a pen with ink or a working phone. Thankfully, this settles down as she investigates the disappearance of Isabel Lincoln who has seemingly vanished off the face of the earth. And after meeting the woman’s boyfriend, Grayson has to wonder….was Isabel taken or did she run?

Both story lines are intricate & startling similarities between the 2 women quickly emerge. Along the way we meet many peripheral characters, including those who are part of Gray’s life. The plot is rife with domestic violence, hidden pasts & secret identities. There’s a lot going on here & maybe that was one of the problems for me. Chapters alternate between the hunt for Isabel & Gray’s past & the switching narratives with multiple twists had me scrambling to stay current with both. The ending wraps up both story lines, though one more successfully than the other IMHO.

So purely a matter of personal preference. At last count there were about one hundred 4 & 5 star reviews on Goodreads so consider me the jaded outlier & give those a look 🙃 .

3.5*

Gray is working for the first as a PI. She’s worked for Nick for a long time but this is her first case! Helping a wealthy man look for his girlfriend that has disappeared with his dog. Should be open and shit case right? ......wrong!

This story was a slow burn thriller. It definitely had you saying what the heck is happening!!!
I loved Gray she is a fighter through all the things she’s been through! She was smart and savy putting together a case that seems to make no sense! Little pieces start coming together but nothing is what is seemed! Gray has a secret past and it’s coming back to haunt her. I loved the light romance that was in the background of the story! I was really rooting for them!

A cat and mouse mystery. PI Grayson Sykes is tasked to work her first case; the missing girlfriend of a prestigious cardiologist. Grayson struggles to reconcile her own dark past while she unpacks the mystery surrounding the missing woman. The novel alternates between time periods and can be a bit difficult to navigate at times. A slow burn mystery that comes together in a satisfying twist. I recommend this read for lovers of a whodunit mystery. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC.

I had a hard time getting into this one. The mystery was intriguing but there were too many unnecessary characters and there seemed to be a lot of details I had a hard time remembering because I couldn't tell what was important and what was just random characters or thought. I didn't care that much for the characters. This one just missed the mark for me.

I had a very difficult time getting through this book. There was something about the main character that I just didn't like - she did so many stupid things and her thoughts were so random and distracting. I didn't understand why she kept complaining about her appendectomy or the refrigerator in her apartment not working well -- what was the purpose of either of these things?

The timeline in the past with her ex-husband was confusing and jumped around too much and she referred to herself as Mrs. Dixon a lot which was weird. I think when I get distracted by odd things in books it just throws me off and I can't get into it. This book had a lot of random things that I couldn't get past and the book wasn't my cup of tea (Tea was also an odd name for a character).

"That's us women: doing what we gotta do to survive. Anything to stay above ground for one more day."

I've sat here for days chewing on the meat of this story and appreciating all the ways that Rachel Howzell Hall didn't fall into the rut of today's mediocre crime fiction, and I still do not think I can do this book justice with my review. If you've been following my reviews here for awhile, then you know that I used to be a huge mystery/suspense/thriller junkie (hello, my name is The Suspense Is Thrilling Me), but over the past year I've consumed considerably less titles in those genres, mainly due to the watering down of plots and overly saturated market containing a multitude of look-alike tales. And Now She's Gone is one of the most enjoyable, outstanding, and remarkable crime fiction novels I've devoured in quite some time, and if you enjoy character driven mysteries, I think you'll enjoy this one as well.

Alright, let's address the elephant in the room. "But Chelsea, this book is SO LONG." I hear you, except it's really not that long? Somehow, as a majority, we readers have steadily been losing the ability to focus on fiction longer than 300 pages. I'm not sure if it's the growing pressure of having to read ALL OF THE BOOKS and read them all immediately, or if we've been steadily conditioned by the shortening of novels and authors having to push out a book or two a year, but we tend to assume that long books are for fantasy readers and the birds. I'm here to tell you that it is ok to pick up long books in whatever vein you want, so hopefully you'll give this almost 400 page novel a chance. *Thank you for coming to my TED talk.*

Now, on to the book! Readers who enjoy changes between the present and past tense will love how complex And Now She's Gone's format is; we alter between Grayson Sykes in the present and her search for missing woman Isabel Lincoln and the past abusive relationship of Natalie Dixon by her husband Sean. To say anymore would delve into spoiler territory, but suffice it to say that both aspects are equally gripping and keep the story from having a stale feeling that can come with procedural type books. The beauty of this tale is that there is the added element of wondering whether or not Isabel wants to be found.

As we follow the trail alongside Gray, we discover many shocking twists, but we also develop a deep affinity for our main character and her group of friends/coworkers. I can honestly say that I had no clue how this book would end, and that I am itching to see this standalone turned into the first book in a series featuring Gray, Kick, and their office investigating various crimes. If you're looking for crime fiction with substance, excellent writing, and important thematic inclusions, such as a hard look at racial injustice and domestic abuse, And Now She's Gone shouldn't just be on your TBR, it should be on your must read list. If you have financial means, I implore you to pre-order this one, or to go ahead and place your hold/request this title at your local library.

I loved this! It was super intriguing and engaging! I found myself constantly flipping the pages to try and finish it as fast as possible! I could not stop reading! I loved our characters and the plot was fast-paced and kept me on my toes the entire time! One of my favorites of the year by far!

Frolic Media post: https://frolic.media/5-upcoming-thrillers-that-you-need-to-read-immediately/