UNMISSING by Minka Kent

 

A return from the past knocks a family dangerously off-balance in a novel of spiraling suspense by Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Minka Kent.

Merritt Coletto and her husband, Luca, have the life they dreamed of: a coastal home, a promising future, and a growing family. That dream ends with a late-night knock on the door.

Weak, broken, and emaciated, it’s Luca’s first wife, Lydia. Missing for ten years, presumed dead, and very much alive, she has quite a story. Her kidnapping. A torturous confinement that should’ve ended with her dead. And finally, escape. Racked with guilt over the beautiful life they’ve built, Merritt and Luca agree to help get Lydia back on her feet—it’s the least they can do.

But the more enmeshed Lydia becomes in Merritt’s family, the more questions Merritt has. What is it about Lydia that’s especially unnerving? Why hasn’t she gone to the police with her harrowing tale? What does she really want of them? The answers, when they come, are terrifying.

Because Lydia isn’t the only one with secrets.

MY THOUGHTS

My first Minka Kent book. It certainly won't be the last.

This book pulled me in from the very start and held me captive all the way through. All the twists and turns. All the surprises along the way. It does contain some talk about being raped and horribly abused but doesn't go into any detail so that should make it a safe one. It did for me...

One quote that I really liked in this story:

I was simply missing, and now I'm unmissing...

The main characters in this book are: Lydia, Merritt, Luca and Delphine. 

Lydia was married to Luca for just three short months. One day she went for a hike and simply disappeared. Just vanished into thin air. She was presumed dead and after a couple of years was considered legally dead. But she was not dead. She was very much alive. And she came back to get her life back. What she finds after nine years gone is her husband  has remarried. His second wife, Delphine, is pregnant with their second child. 

When Delphine opens the door and sees Lydia standing there she doesn't know what to think. She is very afraid for herself and her children. She's not totally sure it's really Lydia. Possibly a drug addict of someone from the commune who could hurt them. Even when Lydia tells her who she is Delphine is not convinced. How could she be alive after all that time. And if she was alive where had she been. Why is she just now coming back... 

Luca is the husband of both Lydia and Merritt. He's away when Lydia first comes back so is very surprised when he comes in and she's there. He has worked hard to build his business and make a life for his wife and children. He doesn't know what to think of Lydia's sudden appearance. Where has she been and why now. Why after nine years is she suddenly here. He loves his life and his family. Nothing has prepared him for this.

Delphine has a business in town and helps Lydia out when she applies for a job. She gives her a place to live until she can get on her feet. She's a wonderful woman who you will really like a lot. 

I liked all the characters to a point. I found Merritt to be a bit petty and brash in ways. Too hung up on trying to impress Lydia. Luca was a jerk and a bit self centered. At least for a while. I didn't really like either him or Merritt but they do play a very important role in this book. 

This book is told from Lydia and Merritt's POVs. Each telling a story that is unbelievable. A story that will have you on the edge. Have you feeling sorry for each of them. They both have a lot to lose and a lot to gain. Lydia doesn't know that Luca and Merritt are in a bind where money is concerned. She only wants something to help her start over. Build a life for herself. After all she has been through she definitely deserves that. 

I found this story to be very good. A page turner. There was so many twists that I never guessed who did what to whom. I didn't figure out who the kidnapper was nor what actually happened that day. It was good to read one that gave me so many surprises. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #MinkaKent, #Thomas&Mercer for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

5/5 stars and a very high recommendation. Grab this one and get lost in the story of what happened to Lydia... It's very good.