#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A deeply moving, gripping, and intelligent page-turner about a daughter’s search for her mother, Leaving Time is Jodi Picoult at the height of her powers.Includes the novella Larger Than LifeThroughout her blockbuster career, Jodi Picoult has seamlessly blended nuanced characters, riveting plots, and rich prose, brilliantly creating stories that “not only provoke … prose, brilliantly creating stories that “not only provoke the mind but touch the flawed souls in all of us” (The Boston Globe). Now, in Leaving Time, she has delivered a book unlike anything she’s written before.
For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe she was abandoned, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.
Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest: Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons, only to later doubt her gifts, and Virgil Stanhope, the jaded private detective who’d originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they’ll have to face even harder answers.
As Jenna’s memories dovetail with the events in her mother’s journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish.
Praise for Leaving Time
“Piercing and uplifting . . . a smart, accessible yarn with a suspenseful puzzle at its core.”—The Boston Globe
“Poignant . . . an entertaining tale about parental love, friendship, loss.”—The Washington Post
“A riveting drama.”—Us Weekly
“[A] moving tale.”—People
“A fast-paced, surprise-ending mystery.”—USA Today
“In Jenna, [Jodi] Picoult has created an unforgettable character who will easily endear herself to each and every reader. . . . Leaving Time may be her finest work yet.”—Bookreporter
“[A] captivating and emotional story.”—BookPage
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My favorite Jodi Picoult so far!
tragic and wonderful as always
This book is well researched and I became captivated by the elephant characters. The book began with a strange start that did not grab me. It progressed to a complex story of a young girl who is in search of her mother. I found it humorous in many parts, especially the girl. It is a moving story with a very surprising ending. I did not want the book to end.
I will read anything this author writes!!!!
The elephant depictions were heartwarming and emotional. There were sad as well as very beautiful moments I didn’t want to end!
Learned a lot about elephants!
Magical mysticism!
Memorable, moving and well worth the read
I love this author and this book is one of my favorites.
Jodi Picoult always develops characters who seem very real. The story line is compelling and interesting.
I did not see the end coming!
I generally like Jodi Picoult books, but the suspenseful plot in this one ended up depending on ghosts and spirits, which felt like a betrayal. The factual parts about elephants and how they grieve, however, were informative and quite interesting.
OMG! Best book ever! Geez! I learned so much about the emotional lives of elephants from one of the perspectives while I strolled along an interesting and mysterious path with colorful characters to solve a ten year old mystery. What a delightful page turner. Highly recommend.
The story was just okay but the information about elephants was great.
Unusual and informative novel, with a completely unexpected ending. One of the best books I’ve read in recent years.
One of her best books that I have read.
Best book I’ve read in a while.
I recommend this book, but with reservations, because I did not care for the twist. But I always learn something from a Jodi Picoult book–this time about elephants, among other things. Look elsewhere for a synopsis. By far not my favorite of hers (that would be Second Glance), but give it a shot.
Unique plot that teaches throughout.
I learned so much about elephants, & I loved that. I’m still thinking about the characters. I’ve already recommended it to a friend. It’s one of those books you don’t forget.
I hd just lost my husband when I read this.. The portions on grief left me in tears but understanding so much. A Must read for everyone.