Don’t Look For Me by Wendy Walker

September 15, 2020

NetGalley 

St Martin’s Press 

352 pages

Fiction, arc, mystery, suspense 

ISBN: 9781250198709

9/22-9/28

 

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

 

The story alternates between when Molly goes missing to when Nicole starts searching for her mother about 2 weeks later. 

 

Molly Clarke’s life is forever changed the day she accidentally hits and kills her youngest daughter five years ago when Annie was 9 years old. Molly was a middle school science teacher married to John with 2 surviving kids Evan away at boarding school and Nicole 20 year old who was expelled from her private school. One night Molly goes missing when her car runs out of gas during a hurricane on her way home from watching Evan’s football game. 

 

The guilt since the tragic accident is a daily burden for Molly who receives the blame for her daughter’s death. When she runs out of gas and finds the gas station closed she is relieved when a man and a young girl stop to offer her a ride. Although hesitant Molly ignores all signs that she is in danger until it’s too late. Molly realizes that there are 3 gas cans in the truck and alarmed when they arrive at the boarded up Hastings Inn. 

Molly fears she will never see her family again and that no one is looking for her. She sees her only way to survive is winning the trust and affection of Alice. Over time Alice reveals information to Molly which leads her to believe that her daughter Nicole is in danger.

 

The missing woman from Hastings soon loses the attention of the media and law enforcement. They attribute her disappearance to her depression and desire to escape the constant reminders of her Annie. As much as Nicole was angry with her mother she realizes that her anger is misplaced. She becomes alarmed when her mother hasn’t returned home as it was totally uncharacteristic of her mother. 

 

Nicole goes in a mission to find out what happened to her mother. In her quest to uncover the truth Nicole finds that many of the people she meets are lying about what they know. She initially finds a believable lead when she speaks to Edith Moore. Since there’s a reward for information regarding her mother Nicole doesn’t know who to trust. 

 

The story is a twisted convolution of unreliable characters who only serve to stir more confusion regarding Molly’s disappearance. This was a great read with many unexpected turn of events making it a challenge to predict the ending. 

 

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/126730004

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3223958838