A Second Look at “Still Missing”
Still Missing
Author: Chevy Stevens
Audiobook
Published: July 6, 2010
Dates Read: August 12-24, 2016
My Rating: 5 Stars
Book Summary from Amazon:
On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she’s about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.
Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.
Still Missing is that rare debut find–a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.
My review:
I first listened to the audiobook in January 2013. When I was starting this blog, it was the first book I posted my short review for. Reading that review piqued my interest in rereading the book. Luckily, my local library had it! Here is a link to that short review:
Still Missing is not for everyone as it is graphic, shocking, intense, and very well written! It is also very hard to read. There is graphic language as well, so be prepared for that if you read it. Annie explains her use of the strong language: If you went through everything that she did, it would change you. She is an angry person now, trying to adjust to everything that has happened and to move on in her life. If you can not handle multiple graphic scenes dealing with sexual assault this is not the book for you.
I believe that audiobook is a very good medium for this book as Annie is talking to her shrink; it may have made the book easier to read that way.
You know that Annie does get away, since she is talking with her shrink. Annie’s description of that year is very graphic and she leaves nothing to the imagination, you can picture everything that happens to her.
I can’t go into many details without giving things away. There is a very unexpected twist in the book. You can’t help but find the twist hard to believe. And that last line…Wow.
After finishing the book I have to rate it 5 stars as it is so powerful and an amazing debut. It is highly recommended. I have read a few other books written by Chevy Stevens, but it has been a while since I read them. I will have to see if my local library offers any more of her novels on audiobook.
Still Missing
Still Missing
Author: Chevy Stevens
Listened to Audio Book
Published: July 6, 2010
Dates Read: January 10-23, 2013
My Rating: 4 Stars
Book Summary from Amazon:
On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she’s about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.
Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.
Still Missing is that rare debut find–a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.
My review written in January 2013:
I rarely write reviews for a book after I finish it. I listened to the audio book of Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. After I listened to the first few cds, I did not think I would be able to finish the book. She is very graphic in her writing and I could picture everything that was happening to Annie. And it was VERY TOUGH to listen to. That is the work of a talented author. And this is her first novel!!!! I am glad I finished it. It was a very good book!!! And I did not see the twist coming. Her writing blew me away, especially when I got to the last line. I would have given it five stars, but the language bothered me. I do get it that what happened to Annie did change her and that was why the language was like that. I would recommend this to people to read, as long as you can handle language and some VERY tough scenes while Annie was kidnapped.
*** Reading this review makes me want to go back and read the book again. It has been three years since I read it sometimes books are worth re-reading. This looks to be one of those! This time I will be prepared for the writing that I was not prepared for when I first read the book. Luckily, my local library does have the audiobook, so I will be listening to this book again soon!
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