The Gone and the Forgotten

Prue is determined to find out the truth about her family secrets, even if it means uncovering murder.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Sixteen-year-old Prue has grown up surrounded by secrets. Her grandmother's stern silence, her mother's teary breakdowns, and her aunt's whispered assurances have been her constant companions. However, now, in the aftermath of her mother's latest episode, Prue has decided that she is old enough to seek the truth. She yearns to understand what makes the adults around her behave in such a mysterious and distracted manner. She wants to know why her mother struggles to cope. Above all, she craves to know the identity of her father.

Forced to spend the summer in the Shetlands with her aunt, Ruth, and her new uncle, Archie, Prue arrives determined to uncover some answers. However, she quickly finds herself entangled in a web of family secrets, betrayals, and perhaps even murder.

Set during one long summer in Shetland, this novel is a beautifully drawn portrayal of a young woman's search for truth, even as she realizes the lies that have been shielding her have been keeping her safe.

The Gone and the Forgotten has received widespread praise from critics. Louise Beech, in her review for The Guardian, described it as "a beautiful, absorbing, emotional book." She praised the author's "stunning" writing and called the book "a stunning read."

Another reviewer, Emily St. John Mandel, praised the book for its "complex and nuanced characters" and its "rich and evocative prose." She noted that the novel "explores the complexities of family relationships and the power of secrets to both destroy and heal."

Prue's journey in The Gone and the Forgotten is one of self-discovery and growth. She learns to confront her past and the secrets that have haunted her for years. She also learns to trust her instincts and to believe in herself, even when the world around her seems to be conspiring against her.

The Gone and the Forgotten is a powerful and emotional novel that will leave readers captivated from beginning to end. It is a testament to the author's skill in crafting a compelling story and her ability to delve into the depths of the human psyche. Whether you are a fan of psychological thrillers or coming-of-age novels, this book is sure to captivate your attention and leave you thinking long after you have turned the last page.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838932794