What would you do if your child disappeared? What about if someone showed up years later claiming to be her? That and overall family dynamics are the focus points in She Says She’s My Daughter, a new psych thriller by Lauren North.
The author had me going for most of the book. A lot of the story is from Sarah’s point of view, as she is the one most impacted by the loss of her child and the alleged return. Therefore, much of what we see is from her point of view.
There are also chapters from Abi’s point of view. Some are set in the past (“Then”), and some are in the present. They are all convincing, leaving the reader wondering about the truth of the whole matter.
There is also a mystery person who Abi is afraid of, who we learn has set everything in motion. But it is a shadowy figure – there are several characters who could be responsible.
The plot is evenly paced. I would warn readers to pay attention to the time stamps at the beginning of each chapter. They aren’t entirely vital to understanding the story, but if you have them in your head, you’ll understand the urgency of some of the events and how things occur as they do.
I know that sounds convoluted, but it’s the best I can do without giving anything away.
There are several twists and reveals. I did guess one of them, but I think that’s because I was in tune with Sarah and understood her perspective. However, the rest were a surprise. The author did a great job with red herrings and other false clues.
I really enjoyed She Says She’s My Daughter. The end was breathtaking. I will certainly be looking for the next psych thriller from Lauren North.
