31 Reads of Terror: 'Local Woman Missing' by Mary Kubica

Have you ever read so many books that your brain starts to resemble a cluttered attic, full of forgotten treasures and dusty memories? That's where I find myself with Mary Kubica; I could've sworn I’d come across her writing before, yet her titles remain elusive, save for the one in my hands today—Local Woman Missing. I’m at a loss as to whether I picked it up from a dollar store or a thrift store, which is mildly alarming. Either I’m starting to lose my grip on reality or my overflowing bookshelf has morphed into a labyrinth, and I’m just the hapless adventurer wandering through it—probably a mix of both.

Now, let’s plunge into the heart of the story: Shelby Tebow is the first to vanish, her absence a dark cloud looming over her once-serene neighborhood. Then, out of nowhere, Meredith Dickey and her young daughter, Delilah, go missing just a stone's throw away from where Shelby was last seen. Panic ripples across the community, spiking a primal fear. Are these disappearances mere coincidences, or is a sinister thread weaving through the fabric of their lives? After a desperate search that produces more questions than answers, the case eventually grows cold, leaving dread to fester. Fast forward eleven years, and Delilah’s sudden return sends shockwaves through a town haunted by ghosts of the past. But what truly happened to her? And what chilling secrets will unravel when the truth finally sees the light of day?

As the title suggests, a woman goes missing, and our story spirals into existential territory, reminiscent of an eerie David Lynch film—think Twin Peaks, where the mundane meets the macabre. But it isn't just one woman who’s gone; there’s an unsettling pattern of disappearances. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of multiple characters across different timelines. Now, you know I’m usually not a fan of this storytelling dance, as it can disrupt the rhythm and pace. However, surprisingly, I found the time shifts tolerable. It was the constant character changes that sometimes irked me. And yes, the pacing felt oddly frenetic at times.

Yet, Kubica’s prose shines like a ghost light in a darkened room. Her narrative style is spellbinding; the dialogue crackles with life, and her descriptions paint vivid pictures that linger in the mind. The characters—oh boy, they were a mixed bag; some were as charming, while others were as maddening as a mosquito buzzing in my ear at night. The plot, though it treads familiar ground, was intricately woven, maintaining my interest despite the structural hiccups and pacing quirks.

In the end, Local Woman Missing left me satisfied, if not completely dazzled. It’s not flawless, far from it, but it held me captive, page after page, as I craved to uncover the fate of its characters. If you seek a mystery thriller that will keep you guessing and turning pages late into the night, consider giving this one a shot. After all, you never know what skeletons may be waiting in the dark corners of a small town. ╌★★★½✰

〜B.J. Burgess