Paula McLain's newest novel When the Stars Go Dark is a detective mystery with a main character who is just as mysterious as the missing person's case she's investigating. Detective Anna Hart has retreated to the town where she spent her formative years in an attempt to seek solitude after a personal tragedy. But then she finds herself drawn to the case of a local girl gone missing in the middle of the night. Did the girl run away or did someone take her?
Set in 1993, the story references the very real kidnapping and murder of Polly Klaas, showing the difference between how the media jumps on the word "kidnapped" as opposed to "missing", how different girls are treated depending on their backgrounds, and how the internet was just starting to be a boon to missing person's cases.
As you uncover the mystery of the missing teenager, you also uncover the details of Anna's childhood, what brought her back home, and why solving this case is so important to her.
I have to admit two things: I wasn't totally loving the story in the beginning. It did take me awhile to get into it. Also, I figured out who the perpetrator was WAAAAAAY before Anna did. I mean, I thought it was kind of obvious.
If you read this book, let me know how soon you solved the case.
That said, once I got into it, I really enjoyed how the story was told and couldn't put this book down.
When the Stars Go Dark is published by Ballantine Books and is on bookstore shelves today. I received a free e-ARC in exchange for my review.
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