A haunting tale of a disappearance twenty years ago, What Remains Of Her tells the story of those who were left behind.
What Remains Of Her by Eric Rickstad
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Published: 24th July, 2018
Goodreads
Series: N/A
Rating: 5
Jonah Baum, a professor of poetry at a local college in Vermont, sees his ordinary life come tumbling down when his wife and young daughter vanish from their home. No evidence of a kidnapping. No sign of murder. No proof that Rebecca didn’t simply abandon her marriage. Just Sally’s crude and chilling drawings, Jonah’s little lies, and the sheriff’s nagging fears that nothing is what it seems.
For Sally’s best friend, Lucinda, it’s something else. She trusts in Sally not to just disappear, not after they’ve shared so many secrets—especially about the woods and what they saw there. But she’ll never tell. No one would believe her anyway.
As the search for Rebecca and Sally intensifies, and as suspicion falls on Jonah, the disappearances become more relentlessly haunting than anyone can imagine. Because what’s seen in the light of day is not nearly as terrifying as what remains hidden in the dark…
The last thing I expect a mystery thriller to be, is a beautifully written, poignant account of pain, loss and grief. Yet, this style of writing is not something I’ve never came across in this genre, and I just love it every time it happens.
I’ve never been to Vermont, if it’s anything like in this book, I sure as hell don’t want to visit it during winter. The bitter cold and the small town buried under deep snow is however the perfect setting for this story with its utter bleakness.
Jonah did not only lose his wife and child back in 1987. He lost his home, his few friends he had, and even now, twenty-five years later the townies are looking at him with suspicion, and the way he behaves is clearly not doing him any favours. I’m sure we all know at least one Jonah. Evasive, always on the defensive side and with a barely contained temper. Did he do it? The fact that he’s now living in a cabin in the woods and doesn’t talk to anyone does not inspire confidence in his innocence for sure. People avoid him, and he avoids them. The occasional visitors up in the mountain get a shotgun in the face. Charming.
The mystery itself is quite a straightforward one: Sally and Rebecca disappear and we are clueless why.
So why should you read this, I hear you ask. Let’s see.
- Beautiful and vivid description of the snow covered little town.
- Constant second guessing of everything. What is even real?
- Spooky setting, dark woods, creepy shit lurking around the corner. Or is it?
- Lucinda, who from being a scared little girl not only blossoms into an independent young woman, but becomes deputy sheriff and plays an important role in solving the mystery that impacted her whole life.
- Dialogues that bite.
- An intriguing sub plot, that turns everything upside down.
Lyrical, yet unnerving, this story is the perfect companion for cold winter nights and spooky evenings!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Another book to add in my list! Love your review!
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Thank you ❤ 🙂
Hope you'll like it too!
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Ooh I think my mum will like this one. That’s one xmas present sorted.
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Yay 🙂
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This sounds very intriguing! I may have to check it out!
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I hope you do!
It’s such a winter book 🙂
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Wow, it sounds like I have every reason to add it, Norrie! Everything on your list sounds exceptional to me. Terrific review! ♥️
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Thank you! 🙂 Was a perfect wintery feel book.
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Ugh this sounds like a perfect winter read, Norrie. Thanks for the recommendation and amazing review, I’m definitely adding it to my TBR 🙂
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It is! Hope you’ll enjoy it too! ❤
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Well, that’s one compelling review. And, as someone else (I think) just recently reviewed this elsewhere, it was already on my radar and yes, listed to buy! Eric Rickstad sounds like an author to pay attention too.
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For me he made it on my list of authors i want to read more of.
Only read 2 of his books but his style is sure up my alley 🙂
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I checked and it was another review you wrote that put him on my radar, which is why I thought this was familiar! Ha! Ha! And yeah, def on my radar now. Sounds like my kind of writer.
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Oh, me again?? 😀 Oops…
I hope you’ll like it 🙂
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Ha! Ha! I’m sure I will, when I find a copy. 😉
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Omg this sounds so good!! I love snowy settings and woods with secrets and Lucinda sounds fantastic. I’ll save it for a wintery day 😀
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It’s a really good winter book 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy it too!
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I love books where I have to second guess! Wonderful review, Norrie!
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Me too 🙂
Thank you!
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Your review does justice to this book. I just want to grab this book and read it next. Everything about it sounds perfect, including the setting. Glad you enjoyed this one, Norrie. Fab review.
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Thank you 🙂
Oh, you totes should try it. I think it’s your sort of book too!
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OKAY BUT LIKE. This totally sounds like my type of mystery and thriller 😍 Great review!!
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Thank you! 🙂
This is like the perfect winter read ❤
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This is maybe the first time that I’ve added an adult mystery:thriller on my “Want to read’ on GR and wishlist on Amazon! But you using “beautiful writing” and then I was a goner. Specially after having read the blurb!
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Aww, yay 🙂
His writing style is so lovely. Not what i’m used to in thrillers and mysteries.
Hope you’ll enjoy it once you have the chance to read it.
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Lovely review and I love magical, lovely written books… especially when it happens to be a mystery/thriller! Adding to my TBR!
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Oh, then you will like this one ❤ 🙂
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Now that was an awesome, how-could-I-not-put-it-on-my-TBR review. And now I have to read it to find out what they consider a lot of snow. 😉
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Oh, i hope you like it!
The way this author describes nature appeals to me a lot. He wrote a book that was set during autumn and oh wow… i could just imagine it so vividly ❤
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Love the sound of the setting, and your bullet-point list of reasons why we should give this a shot is impossible to ignore! Great review. 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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