The Missing Girl
by Norma Fox Mazer
***
Five sisters, Beauty, Mim, Stevie, Fancy and Autumn are unknowingly watched by a recluse known only as "the man". He watches them from afar, blissfully unaware of each girl’s individual problems. The oldest, Beauty, is dealing with both making half of the family’s income and for the first time, boys. Quiet and mature Mim has a secret of her own. Stevie is always bursting into fits of anger. Fancy is has special needs and talks a lot—not that anybody wants to listen. Autumn, the youngest, thinks she’s nothing special compared her sisters. Together, they strive through all kinds of hardships, knowing that nothing could tear them apart. Or so they think.
The Missing Girl is a coming-of age story about five sisters that slowly morphs into a suspenseful thriller. It’s told from multiple perspectives, but not enough. We hear from the man who stalks the girls, Beauty, Fancy, and Autumn. By excluding the perspectives of the other two sisters, it feels as if Mazer has omitted a third of the story. Mim is at best a background character, less important than the parents, Beauty’s love interest or the stalker. What is mentioned about her life is only mentioned in passing, and it leaves the reader curious for more. We only see glimpses of Stevie’s life, and for a character like hers, it’s just not enough. The Missing Girl is an entertaining story about growing up and full of suspense; it’s just not long enough to make a completely satisfying story.
3 comments:
I hate when authors do that.... it can be so frustrating. But I suppose that is why we love them.
Read my review! I didn't like the title, I felt as if it gave away a bit of the story.
I enjoy thiller's, although this one sounds to much like a girl book.
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