REVIEW: "All the Missing Girls" by Megan Miranda
For a solid 77% of this book, I had only the most tenuous idea as to what was going on.
I mean, I had been drinking – sometimes coffee, sometimes wine (that's sorta what I do). But still – I hadn’t been drinking so much that I should have been struggling so profoundly to keep up.
Despite this, I enjoyed the book.
I mean, I didn’t Gone Girl enjoy it, but I enjoyed it at least as much as a typical Harlan Cobin or James Patterson.
The most distinctive characteristic of this book is the plot structure. The events are organized in reverse chronological order – I know… equal parts interesting and confusing.
It’s 2017 and we have seen a lot of plays on non-linear plot structures. In fact, I can’t remember the last book I read that was entirely written in a linear structure. I wouldn’t say that this was the most effective version of this playing-with-time technique I’ve ever seen, however. The structure, while intriguing in theory, definitely contributed to my rampant confusion.
It also created another persistent issue, my difficulty in connecting with the main character (Nicollette, AKA Nic). I didn’t really care about her. I wanted her to get over herself. Basically, I kind of wanted her to go away. And that’s never good when she's your protagonist - 'cause you're sorta stuck with her.
Miranda’s tone was good – easy to read and realistic.
She effectively set the scene. I could feel what life would be like in tiny Cooley Ridge.
Her plot was promising – although this promise was never entirely realized.
A final major issue that needs to be discussed – probably the most serious issue TBH – the ending.
It left much (seriously, MUCH) to be desired.
I was waiting so anxiously for the payoff.
What happened to Corinne?
And what about Annaleise?
Oh this is going to be so good.
It wasn’t.
In fairness, the answer to the question “What happened to Annaleise?” was actually a bit satisfying. There was even a believable twist that I quite enjoyed – even though I saw it coming about a dozen pages away.
But what happened to Corinne… Which was the event that propelled all of the other action in the book… left me closing the book, shaking my head and saying “seriously?!?” – to myself, of course… because talking to yourself when you read is a normal thing, right?
Despite the seriously, Seriously, SERIOUSLY wanting ending, I would recommend this book to fans of thrillers.
If there weren’t so many books to read and so little time, I would consider re-reading it myself – but in reverse order, which would put the events in chronological order.
Maybe then I would only be confused 33% of the time.
Non-linear plot structures can be amazing. I mean, I even wrote a book in non-linear. Okay, two books.
What's your favorite non-linear book? Tell me about it in the comments, below.
What to read next...hmmm...check out what I pick, here.
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