Thursday, May 20, 2010

Book Review: Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Annie O’Sullivan was a successful realtor until the day a man abducted her and kept her captive in a remote mountain cabin for a year. Now Annie’s so traumatized, she sleeps in her closet and can’t work. In 26 sessions with her therapist, the whole twisted story comes out.

Through most of this novel, I wasn’t sure I liked it. It’s riveting reading, yes, but it is also extremely disturbing and not for the faint of heart (or young teens). But then, once the big twist was revealed, I was blown away by how well the whole story was crafted.

Annie’s nickname for her abductor is The Freak, and it is apt. He is a terrifying guy with deep psychological issues and very strict rules. Crossing him by say, using the bathroom at a non-scheduled time, can lead to bizarre punishments such as having to drink from the toilet. What puzzles her is just how much he seems to know about her and her family, leading her to think that his crime was not random and that even if she escapes him, there may be someone else out to get her…

Annie’s experience changes her a lot – so much so that I almost couldn’t recognize the broken woman swearing at her shrink and shrinking away from her friends and family as the same independent woman we see in her “flashbacks”. Not only is this a fascinating character study, it is also a very satisfying thriller with a shock ending. Highly recommended!

STILL MISSING is coming out in hardcover 0n July 6, 2010. My copy was courtesy of the Amazon Vine program. Find out more about the book at the author's website.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, this sounds like a great read! I'll have to add it to my list. Thanks for the review! :)

bermudaonion said...

Holy cow! I'm really curious about the "big twist" now!

Zibilee said...

This sounds like an intense book! I am really curious about it and want to get the chance to read this one, despite the fact that it's disturbing. I also am really intrigued by the twist at the end. I am glad that you ultimately liked it, Lenore. It sounds like an engrossing read. Great review, it was extremely persuasive!

Meg @ write meg! said...

Definitely sounds intense and a little scary, actually. I tend to shy away from books with a subject matter like this but enjoyed reading your review! And I'm definitely curious about the surprise twist, too.

Shweta said...

That's creepy and scary . Good you put in the cautionary word as to who shouldn't read it :)

Steph Su said...

I've heard buzz practically nonstop about this book, so I think I might drop my general avoidance of adult fiction and check this one out. Thanks!

Marce said...

This seems totally me I can't wait to read it. Disturbing story, thriller, shocking twist at end, love it.

Great review.

Kathleen said...

I can't wait for July. I have to know what the big twist is!

Ann-Kat (Today, I Read...) said...

Lenore, I had the same reaction as you when I was first reading it. Sometimes I literally had to hold the book *away* from me because I was afraid to continue, but by the end...wow...omg. I still shake my head when I think about it. IMO, this book is definitely worth the buzz, but it's definitely not for the faint of heart.

emily said...

Your reviews are always simple but delightful.

Staci said...

I totally skimmed your review because I have this one yet to read and don't want to know anything about it going in!!!

Cath said...

Whoa, this sounds intense! Can't wait until it comes out!!

Anna said...

I'll be reading this soon. Glad I already have a copy because you've made me really wonder about the twist. Sounds like a disturbing but interesting read.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Anonymous said...

I heard it's a really good thriller, I can't help thinking of Natascha Kampusch , a real story that surpasses fiction

Amanda said...

I saw this on Goodreads as well. Now I really want to read it. 8]

Carla said...

Wow, this sounds like such a powerful book. I haven't heard of this one before now, and because the sysnopsis doesn't really clue you in as to what's in store for the reader, I want to read it even more, just to find out what happens. I think it takes an author a heck of a lot of courage to be able to write about something so intense and life changing as being abducted, especially because its not something they would be able to relate to (well I hope not) I'm pleased she managed to pull this off, and the cover is so lovely. I'm adding this one to the wish list, fab review as always Miss Lenore!

caite said...

extremely disturbing, big twist, shocking ending...ok, I am sold.

Elise said...

Ooh this sounds intriguing!! I love a great plot twist!

Anonymous said...

I really like the cover, and your review presents it as a very intriguing and riveting read. Will try to check it out. Thank you for the review!

Ann Summerville said...

I stopped by our blog today. Thanks for the review.
Ann
Cozy In Texas
Less of Me

Lisa said...

That sounds really interesting. Going to have to add it to the TBR list.

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

This book is on my wish list and I would just love to win it.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

This was a 5 out of 5 book. Loved the fact the ending was different then I thought. Great book, but you must not belong to Goodreads, since I tried to sign this book up there, check out Goodreads.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately many women live
in constant fear of something like
this:does this book increase their
fear of decrease it.??