Book Review: Elizabeth is Missing

I have recently joined another book club with some of the mums from school. Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey was our first club read.

Maud is confused. More than confused. Her short term memory is failing her and she knows she has forgotten something important but can't remember what. The notes in her pocket give her clues but how can you solve a mystery when you can't remember eating toast for breakfast? When her best friend Elizabeth goes missing Maud sets out to find her, but in the process awakens memories of another disappearance which has haunted her for years. The past is very much alive.

Be prepared to fall in love with Maud as she unravels the two mysteries, past and present, and feel sad as you watch her mental condition deteriorate. The writing style very clever. You actually get some sense of how scary it must be to know you can't remember what you did just minutes ago. The stress and strain the rest of the family feels caring for a relative with dementia is also well depicted. Not having experienced dementia first hand this book was an eye opener, but with a strong storyline which kept me hooked.

4/5