“The delicacy of [Young’s] writing elevates the drama and gives her two central characters depth and backbone… For all the beauty of Young’s writing, her novel is a dark one…And the murder mystery that drives it is as shocking as anything you’re likely to read for a good long while.” — New York Times Book ReviewA stunning novel that examines the price of loyalty, the burden of regret, the … examines the price of loyalty, the burden of regret, the meaning of salvation, and the sacrifices we make for those we love, told in the voices of two unforgettable women linked by a decades-old family mystery at a picturesque lake house.
In 1935, six-year-old Emily Evans vanishes from her family’s vacation home on a remote Minnesota lake. Her disappearance destroys the family—her father commits suicide, and her mother and two older sisters spend the rest of their lives at the lake house, keeping a decades-long vigil for the lost child.
Sixty years later, Lucy, the quiet and watchful middle sister, lives in the lake house alone. Before her death, she writes the story of that devastating summer in a notebook that she leaves, along with the house, to the only person who might care: her grandniece, Justine. For Justine, the lake house offers freedom and stability—a way to escape her manipulative boyfriend and give her daughters the home she never had. But the long Minnesota winter is just beginning. The house is cold and dilapidated. The dark, silent lake is isolated and eerie. Her only neighbor is a strange old man who seems to know more about the summer of 1935 than he’s telling.
Soon Justine’s troubled oldest daughter becomes obsessed with Emily’s disappearance, her mother arrives to steal her inheritance, and the man she left launches a dangerous plan to get her back. In a house haunted by the sorrows of the women who came before her, Justine must overcome their tragic legacy if she hopes to save herself and her children.
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I found this book slow going and it was not a page turner. To give it its due though it has had an after effect. It is tragic. and has been haunting my thoughts after reading it.
The Lost Girls is atmospheric and strangely charming in its prose, but maintains a level of creep that any thriller lover will love. The juxtaposition of the past chapters and the present was reminiscent of Dark Places (Flynn) but remained unique and compelling. I really enjoyed this one.
I stayed up all night to finish this book. It was fascinating. The main character in the present, Justine, She inherits a house from her great-aunt, whom she spent only one summer with. The house comes with a history.
In 1935, six-year-old Emily Evans vanishes from her family’s vacation home on a remote Minnesota lake. Her disappearance destroys the family—her father commits suicide, and her mother and two older sisters spend the rest of their lives at the lake house, keeping a decades-long vigil for the lost child.
For Justine, the lake house offers freedom and stability—a way to escape her manipulative boyfriend and give her daughters the home she never had. But the long Minnesota winter is just beginning. The house is cold and dilapidated. The dark, silent lake is isolated and eerie. Her only neighbor is a strange old man who seems to know more about the summer of 1935 than he’s telling.
Soon Justine’s troubled oldest daughter becomes obsessed with Emily’s disappearance, her mother arrives to steal her inheritance, and the man she left launches a dangerous plan to get her back. In a house haunted by the sorrows of the women who came before her, Justine must overcome their tragic legacy if she hopes to save herself and her children.
This is a fantastic book.
Heartbreaking story of multiple generations of dysfunction
I just finished it today and really liked it. The ending was a surprise. I didn’t see it coming. Hope she writes more books
A gripping story, sure to hold your interest I really enjoyed the time.
A story about women and the affect on their lives of decisions made generations before.
Excellent book!
This book drew me in and I had a hard time putting it down. It kept me guessing about how it would end.
I could not stop reading this book. Although initially it was a bit confusing listening to the story told by different persons from different time periods, it was well worth it. My heart ached for Lilith and Lucy because somehow you know something is haunting them. The story leaves you wondering until the very end. All of the characters were exceptionally well drawn whether you like them or not.
Amazing
I recommend this book. Loyalty and bonding within a pathological context spirituality and religion also portrayed as a result of delusional interpretations of a sick mind. However, there are parts in which fortitude and resolve prevailed over weakness and victimization. I guess the author illustrated different responses to similar conflicts. Interesting but is very detailed and moves slowly into the mind of the characters I decided to give five stars because the author does not magically resolves the problems but left me with a feeling of hope for main characters I don’t want to expand more so I don’t give away important aspects of the story. I feel the author respects the readers intelligence
Excellent!!!
What a premise and story! Stay with it. It’s all worth it in the end! Great book for a book club as I’d like to have someone to discuss it with.
Another story that had me struggling to remember who’s who. Chapters switched between past and present, and sometimes I would have to back track to keep up. Not the greatest book Ive read lately, but it wasnt terrible either.
Amazing!
I really enjoyed this book. Although all of the characters were not completely likeable, you had to pull for a happy ending for all of them. Unfortunately that was not the case. The setting was somewhat different and quite haunting. I could not put the book down and highly recommend it.
I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys stories about women.
Want to read additional books by this author! Truly enjoyed this book and the characters!