I absolutely loved this book that one one part detective story, one part true crime inspired, and one part crazy family drama.
Bel was a great main character who was (rightfully) suspicious when her mother Rachel, who had been missing for years, suddenly popped back up right when a true crime documentary was filming about her disappearance. Is it Rachel? If so, where was she? And if so, what is happening here?

Fans of Good Girls Guide to Murder will LOVE this book, love Bel, and love trying to figure this diabolical mystery out!

Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for allowing me to read and review The Reappearance of Rachel Price! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow, just wow!

The amount of plot twists Holly Jackson hits the reader with is insane and pure genius. I wish I could see the cork board of red lines and evidence of how she outlines her stories because I am always amazed with the way she reveals the unexpected truths in the end. The emotional rollercoaster ride Jackson put Bel Price through is what I felt as I'm reading this well thought out thriller. I could feel the intensity rising and the paranoia setting in as Bel tries to figure out what the heck is going on when her mother reappears from a sixteen year disappearance.

A camera crew is hired to film a documentary on the dusty case of what happened sixteen years ago when Rachel Price disappeared and left baby Bel alone in the back seat of a running car. Bel doesn't remember anything, only knowing what was said by the family members around her. When Rachel suddenly appears out of nowhere during a filming session, Bel doesn't trust Rachel's story and decides to take it upon herself to do what the police couldn't do, find out the truth of what happened and how Rachel is alive. Lies and secrets are what kept the family together but will finding out the truth tear them apart?

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is one of my favorite murder mysteries of all time. I also enjoyed the twisty and wild ride of Five Survive and Killjoy, the AGGGTM novella. The Reappearance of Rachel Price starts off slow in the beginning but once Rachel reappears is when, in my opinion, the story kicks off running. We follow Bel as she begins her descent into a sort of madness for the truth so she can prove Rachel's story is false and to protect her father from a woman Bel doesn't even know.

Bel partners, reluctantly, with one of the camera crew members, Ash Maddox. She uses him to capture footage of her interviewing suspects and doing somewhat illegal investigation. There is a bond between them and I do love their banter but I feel like the romance wasn't needed. It gave off the impression of being thrown in there as a last minute decision. Their romance was never fleshed out enough to warrant one especially with how this book ends. Personally, it would have been so much better if they were just friends.

Holly Jackson's storytelling captured my attention and it didn't let go until the last word. I enjoyed following Bel through all the twists and turns, the lies and the mind blowing reveals. The Reappearance of Rachel Price is one heck of a mystery and I loved every minute of it.

5 stars

Such a fun book! I really love Holly Jackson’s writing style and how she paces her books. I received this as an ARC, and was bummed to see that there weren’t as much mixed media aspects as she has in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Although it could have been due to it being an ARC and not a final edit.

The overall story was so much fun, I enjoyed the documentary crew aspect of it. There were so many parts that my jaw was dropped and I kept guessing what would happen next. The big reveal was quite the twist that I didn’t see coming, however it felt like it just kept going and going. One twist on top of another at a really fast rate which I wasn’t a fan of. Parts of the twist felt forced and a little over the top.

Overall I really enjoyed this book!

Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4.5-5)
Holly Jackson has delivered again with a great mystery that will keep you hooked until the very end!

Bel’s life has always been defined by Rachel Price, her mom, who disappeared 16 years ago and abandoned Bel in the backseat of a car on a cold winter’s night. But Bel is ok without her mom—without anyone, really. All she needs is her dad, who she knows will never leave her, and her cousin Carter, who’s almost like a sister. When Bel’s dad agrees for the family to participate in a documentary about Rachel’s disappearance, old wounds and family drama resurface. Things get even more complicated when Rachel suddenly reappears on the side of the road, changing Bel’s life forever, again. Rachel tells her story to the police, and Bel’s not sure what to trust—the mom who left her behind all those years ago, or her own instincts telling her that no one is to be trusted.

>> What I loved: Jackson is an excellent writer, particularly in the mystery genre. She has a great sense of timing and pacing, and she shows that off again in *The Reappearance of Rachel Price.* I also disagree with some other reviews that things come out of nowhere in this book—I think Jackson is great at planting seeds that don’t feel too obvious but are gratifying when they are woven back into the story later. The character work was really strong here as well, and I was compelled by the whole cast of characters involved in this story between Bel’s family and the film crew.
>> What I didn’t love: This was a really strong read for me, but a minor gripe is that I wish we would have gotten more with the film crew, and more time developing Bel’s friendship with Ash in particular!

I highly recommend this book to Young Adult and Adult mystery readers, and I know this one will be flying off the shelves at my school library. I had almost not forgiven Jackson for the way the AGGGTM ended, but I’m so glad I picked this book up, and I look forward to seeing what comes next!

Acknowledgments & Disclaimers
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Jackson, and Random House Children's/Delacorte Press, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

Holly Jackson has done it again!! She has woven together another twisty, turny teen thriller that will leave readers guessing up until the big reveal. Hand this to fans of Jackson's previous works and teens who enjoy books by Karen McManus and Natasha Preston.

Holly Jackson fans will appreciate this YA suspense novel about 18-year old Bel, whose mother, Rachel Price, mysteriously disappeared when Bel was two. When Price's disappearance becomes the subject of a true crime documentary, she suddenly reappears with a story about where she's been for 16 years.. But Bel isn't buying it.. Teamed up with a member of the film crew, Bel starts tracking down the truth. Her path is twisty with surprises all the way to the end.

Holly Jackson knows how to draw the YA reader. This novel is an easy add to our high school media center order list!

Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for this EARC!

GOOD GOLLY AND HOLY GUACAMOLE! This book is pure gold. From the FIRST page I was hooked.
What a perfect time to write this book as well. If there’s anything that has taken America by storm it’s true crime. This book is written like a behind the scenes true crime documentary with the following of Bel!
It’s so good. It’s so funny. It just sucks you in and won’t let go.

Bels mom disappeared 16 years ago. Bel was in the backseat of the car when her mom vanished. At just under 2 years old, she doesn’t remember any details or anything that happened. 16 years later, during a documentary filming, Rachel Price reappears.

From then on it is absolutely everything I needed in a book. I don’t want to say it was twist after twist, but more that it was just breath holding suspense. I absolutely adored every second of reading this book. I love Holly Jackson’s writing and yet again she does not disappoint.

Do yourself a favor and go grab this book!

this one was a let down for me. the plot sounded super interesting, i loved the idea of following along while they made the true crime doc but i just felt like it was lacking. i wish we saw more of ash and bel, i really enjoyed their dynamic. other than that i didn’t feel too connected to any of the characters, which was pretty disappointing

Ooo this was so good! Such an engaging story and well written characters. I couldn't put it down!

Thank you NetGalley and Holly Jackson!

4.25 ⭐️ wow! This had so many surprises in this story I loved it.
It was a little slow at times but it was worth it.
Bel’s mom disappeared when she was just a baby, leaving her in the back of a running car with only her dad to care for her.

A documentary crew is doing a film now on the mysterious disappearance of Rachel Price.

In the middle of this documentary and now 16 years later, she reappears! However Bel just isn’t really trusting her mom’s story! She’s going to get down to the real story of her disappearance.

This was definitely a nail biter and I loved the twists and craziness. It was one after another!!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Holly Jackson’s newest thriller, “The Reappearance of Rachel Price”. I have always loved Jackson’s writing and her thrillers always completely surprised me at the end, and this one definitely did not disappoint. The story focuses on a documentary that is being made based on a disappearance of a young mother, whose two-year-old baby was left in the car on a snowy day. 16 years later, the baby is grown up and being interviewed for her theory on what might’ve happened to her mother. Unfortunately, she never gets to share her thoughts because her mother shows up at a seemingly convincing time. Did she have an affair? Did she plan her disappearance? All we know is the daughter she left behind has quite a few doubts. I was shocked by this ending, and I can’t wait to see what Jackson does next.

This was really good! It was extremely slow at first, which is why my rating isn't higher. It took about 40% before it got really good. There were parts of the book I predicted and other parts I didn't. This is the most predictable of her books for me, which isn't a bad thing. I did enjoy the concept of the book overall.

I was plunged into the life of Bel Price. The story follows the life of a woman named Bel Price, whose mother Rachel disappeared 16 years ago. Rachel suddenly reappears, and her return brings with it a lot of unanswered questions and family secrets. The plot kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat, as I followed Bel on her quest for the truth. The characters, especially Bel, were well-developed and the emotional journey was both gripping and heart-wrenching. Overall, the book is a testament to the author's skill in crafting suspenseful and emotionally charged mysteries.

Holly Jackson does it again!!! I loved the true crime aspect of the book! It reminded me of the podcasts I listen to! It was a true roller coaster! It had me sobbing at the end!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Reappearance of Rachel Price.

I was a fan of the author's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder so I was pumped my request was approved.

It started off strong; Bel's mother has been missing over a decade and not long after a documentary on the appearance has begun, Rachel Price reappears.

I enjoy the mystery of disappearing and reappearing acts, a popular theme in mystery and thriller genres.

It's not easy to do, craft a story that allows the reader to reasonably suspend disbelief, and my bullcrap meter is set at a decent standard, you know what I'm saying?

But as the mystery unfolds, it became clear the author has taken a page out of the popular thriller handbook every thriller writer seems to employ now:

Throw every twist at the reader, and the kitchen sink. Including the fridge. See what sticks.

Bel was hard to like. At first, I understood her aloof, standoffish attitude. Who wouldn't feel abandoned after what happened to her?

But, then her prickly behavior began to sound as if she was trying to be too-cool-for school, and I couldn't stand it.

The narrative, at first, sounded intriguing, but then it began to drag. This was 100 pages too long..

It felt like the author had to meet her quota and just kept adding more filler; interactions between Bel and Carter, Bel playing Nancy Drew, Bel hanging out with the camera assistant guy, I forgot his name already.

Then, we get to that doozy of an ending. I mean, doozies.

I guessed a couple of the twists, but then I read almost exclusively books only in the thriller/mystery genre and I had a feeling the author was going to throw the whole kitchen kit and caboodle at her readers. And I was right.

That massive, monologuing info dump at the end by Bel's mom was so silly and unbelievable.

This happened, then that! And I've been sending you 'secret' messages here, and then this was done to me!

Also, there's NOO way Bel, Rachel or anyone in the family would be able to leave the house alone without the media hounding them, following their every move especially after Bel's dad had disappeared.

There's no way that final 'showdown' would have happened.

I'm glad the bad guys got their comeuppance but the ending felt too pat, too easy, but this is just a book.

Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price disappeared, leaving her daughter, Bel behind. Found in an empty car and now 18 years old, Bel has lived most her life knowing that she was the only witness. When her father agrees to be interviewed by a crew creating a documentary about it, Bel reluctantly agrees to participate. Having no memory of what happened that day, Bel uncovers the clues of that day. Then, the unthinkable happens, Rachel herself reappears with no memory of where she’s been. As Bel discovers a web of deceit and lies, can she piece together what really happened to Rachel?

The well-developed plot is full of twists and turns. The characters are likable and engaging. The story is full of intrigue, mystery, and brings the story to life. Fans of Holly Jackson, suspense, thrillers, murder mysteries, and unreliable narrators will enjoy reading this book. Recommended for most library collections. Gr 8 and up. 5 stars.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

You gotta love stories that keep you guessing.... and this one delivered. I definitely did not anticipate all the twists and turns. Great read, highly recommend.

Holly Jackson does it again! She delivers a great book full of mystery and plot twists! The beginning was very catching, but did slow down for a bit and then picked back up again. Through out a lot of the book, I started questioning whether or not Rachel disappeared because her story wasn't adding up at all, and just like Bel I was suspicious of her mom.
But the story just kept taking so many turns, and each one more delicious than the last! I loved how snarky and relatable Bel's character was as well and highly recommend reading this one!!

Just when you think you have it figured out, Holly pulls the rug out from under your feet!

Annabel (Bel) has lived her whole life wondering what happened to her mom that disappeared 16 years earlier, leaving Bel in the backseat of a car to be discovered by a local teacher. When a film crew comes to her town to make a documentary about the missing mom, Bel and her family begrudgingly oblige, needing the money to pay for care for Bel's grandfather. However, life as Bel knows it is about to change: with the reappearance of her mom, Rachel. Now Bel and her family have to learn how to live with Rachel, and her story that seems to change frequently. Bel is struggling to accept Rachel and learns that everyone around her may be keeping sinister secrets.


This mystery is one of those that is incredibly detailed oriented, so I had a little trouble getting into it at first. However, once it started moving, it was so good and the twists kept coming. Some were guessable, but there were definitely some I didn't see coming!
Unfortunately, Bel might be one of the most unlikable characters I've ever read about. I was thankful that she had Carter throughout the book, because that was when she was most likable.

Overall, this is still such a fun mystery to read and I can't wait to read more from Holly!

Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for an eARC of this book! All opinions are my own!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Holly Jackson's "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is an absolute masterpiece in the realm of mystery fiction. From start to finish, Jackson weaves a captivating narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth.

The protagonist, Rachel Price, is a complex and intriguing character whose reappearance sets off a chain of events that will leave you guessing until the very end. Jackson's writing is sharp and immersive, drawing readers into a world filled with secrets, lies, and unexpected revelations.

What sets this book apart is its clever plotting. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Jackson throws in a twist that will leave your jaw on the floor. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending in a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading late into the night.

Furthermore, the supporting cast is equally well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. The relationships between characters are realistic and nuanced, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative.

Overall, "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense. Holly Jackson has crafted a gripping tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.