Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
I went into Local Woman Missing expecting a twisty, small-town thriller — and Mary Kubica absolutely delivered. Set in a quiet suburb, the story follows the disappearance of two women, Shelby Tebow and Meredith Dickey, and Meredith’s six-year-old daughter, Delilah. Eleven years later, Delilah suddenly reappears, disoriented, traumatised, and silent about what happened. The book unravels the mystery through multiple timelines and narrators, including Delilah’s brother, Leo, who has grown up in the shadow of his sister’s disappearance. Kubica has a reputation for slow-burn suspense that pays off in shocking twists, and this novel fits that mould. It’s eerie, emotionally tense, and full of secrets hidden behind perfect neighborhood façades.found family.

✅ What I Liked:
I loved the way Kubica wove multiple points of view and timelines together to build tension. Leo’s perspective was especially heartbreaking, adding emotional depth beyond the central mystery. The atmosphere of dread that hangs over the neighborhood is beautifully done, making every character feel a little untrustworthy. And then there’s the big twist, I won’t spoil it, but I genuinely gasped when it hit. Kubica’s reveals can sometimes be hit or miss, but this one worked for me.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
The opening third of the book moves quite slowly as it sets up the characters and their world, and readers craving immediate action might struggle to stay hooked. There were also moments where character decisions stretched believability, particularly when it came to keeping secrets that could have changed everything. While the ending lands with impact, the final wrap-up felt a touch rushed after such a careful and tense build-up.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you love domestic thrillers with emotional weight, secrets lurking behind closed doors, and a twist that makes you rethink everything, this one is worth picking up. It will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy authors like Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, or Freida McFadden and don’t mind a story that simmers slowly before it explodes.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Local Woman Missing is a dark, tense, and twist-filled ride that explores grief, family bonds, and how far people will go to protect their own. While it takes time to build momentum and asks for a bit of suspended disbelief, the payoff is satisfying and memorable.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★★★ – A slow-burn thriller with a killer twist