Book Review: I Found You by Lisa Jewell

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!

  The thriller genre is one of my favorites. Every time I delve into a new story, I feel excited and cannot wait to visit another mystery. With Then She Was Gone I was brought into a story that weighed on my heart and frazzled my nerves. This five star read made me a fan of Lisa Jewell, which of course means that I need to read more of her books. Off to the book shop I went, and it's time to open another Jewell novel and see what see has in store for me.
  

   

I Found You is written by Lisa Jewell, and it is published by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. It is a novel of suspense, drama, and terror that spans decades. 

  In 1993, we are introduced to the Rosses, Anthony and Pam, and their children Graham and Kirsty. They are on their annual vacation in Ridinghouse Bay in East Yorkshire, England. There they meet a handsome stranger, named Mark Tate and his Aunt, Kitty. Mark invites them to his aunt’s large home on the bay, where they have a small gathering with food and refreshments. The two families seem to get along well. Mark is soon called out as a creepy by Graham, when Kirsty becomes enamored with the nineteen year old. But Graham fears that his sister's newly-budding relationship with the boy is not leading to anything good. Then Kirsty goes too far one night and tells Mark she loves him. Being fifteen, Kirtsy is too young for Mark, Tony and Graham agree. And Mark is quickly let go by Kirsty when she begins to see a change in him. But Mark is resentful. Mark does not like hearing 'no'. And Mark may be a little darker than any of the Rosses could ever have imagined.

   In present-time England Alice Lake is a single mother of three children living in a sea side town of Ridinghouse Bay. One day she notices a strange man sitting on the beach outside of her home. He appears to be confused; without knowledge of who he is. Alice feels bad for the man and asks him to stay with her and her family. He is dubbed "Frank" by her youngest, and perplexes the woman. How can this handsome gentleman be alone and without any resources? Surely someone must know him. 

  Miles away Lily Monrose, a newlywed of three weeks, notices that her husband is extremely late coming home. It is unlike Carl to be this late. She worries to the point that she calls the authorities. After some checking Lily is hit with the revelation that no such man named Carl Monrose exists. Baffled by this news, Lily seeks out answers. In her search she meets Russ, an acquaintance of Carl's, who sheds some light on her husband's life. After three weeks of marriage, Lily is still getting to know Carl. She fears that his identity was changed for reasons that may not be good.

  Where is Lily Monrose's husband? Why is Frank remembering events from the Rosses' stay in Ridinghouse Bay in 1993?  And just who did Alice Lake let into her home? Secrets and deadly revelations come crashing down that will affect the lives of all involved forever.

  I Found You gently brought me into the narrative with a quiet and unassuming story. I was led through the breezy life of a sea-side community; the book was almost tranquil. Then Lisa Jewell seemed to pat me on the back and say, “Did you really think that I would make it that easy?” And easy it was not. This novel’s story is a tense and sleep-stealing read. I was up for hours at night even though I had set out to read only three chapters (because promising only one chapter on any book is ludicrous to me), and I ended up reading half the book in the first sitting. I was nervous turning pages, because I knew that the author had some devious plot twists coming. The three narratives blended very well together, telling a cohesive tale. Jewell has a knack for blending drama, mystery, and suspense in her works. And it is done expertly here.

  I read this novel with the narration of actress, Helen Duff. Her work on Then She Was Gone was amazing, and I was thrilled to see that she was reading this novel. Her reading style is bright. Even though she can deliver tense moments, I always feel comforted by her voice. She is a wonderful pairing with Lisa Jewell’s writing.

  In the end I Found You was a solid four star read that captured my imagination. I was transported to a place that I have never been, and enjoyed my stay there. Lisa Jewell's suspenseful writing was on point and the ending very satisfying, albeit shocking. If you want a beachy, Summer read, that takes you away this one is definitely for you.   

 Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading.

 
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  Because there is always time to read,
   Xepherus3 



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