From the bestselling author of If You Knew Her comes this harrowing tale of suspense—a story ripped from today’s headlines—of a tight-knit English community, who’s rocked by the murder of a mother and the mysterious disappearance of her daughter, and the secrets that lie concealed beneath a carefully constructed facade.
A small town’s beloved family.
A shocking, senseless crime—and the dark secret at the heart of it all.
Everyone in Ashford, Cornwall, knows Meg Nichols and her daughter, Grace. Meg has been selflessly caring for Grace for years, and Grace—smiling and optimistic in spite of her many illnesses—adores her mother. So when Meg is found brutally bludgeoned in her bed and her daughter missing, the community is rocked. Meg had lived in terror of her abusive, unstable ex, convinced that he would return to try and kidnap Grace…as he had once before. Now it appears her fear was justified.
Jon Katrin, a local journalist, knows he should avoid getting drawn back into this story. The article he wrote about Meg and Grace caused rifts within his marriage and the town. Perhaps if he can help find Grace, he can atone for previous lapses in judgment. The Nichols’ neighbor, Cara—contending with her own guilt over not being a better friend to Grace—becomes an unexpected ally. But in searching for Grace, Jon and Cara uncover anomalies that lead to more and more questions.
Through multiple viewpoints and diary entries, the truth about Grace emerges, revealing a tragedy more twisted than anyone could have ever imagined…
Author Info
Originally from the Cotswolds, Emily Elgar studied at Edinburgh University and then worked for a non-profit organization providing support services to sex workers in the UK. She went on to complete the novel writing course at the Faber Academy in 2014. She currently lives in East Sussex with her husband. If You Knew Her is her first novel.
Reviews
“[An] enthralling thriller. . . . The novel is as much about perceived truth, media, and the workings of small communities as it is about solving crime. Twists and turns keep the reader guessing up to the satisfying ending. Along the way, Elgar wrestles with some engrossing ethical questions that will keep readers thinking long after they reach the end of the book.” — Publishers Weekly
"This thriller is wonderfully written and gave away no surprises that came at the end. Emily Elgar is an amazing thriller writer who has the talent of keeping her reader on the edge of their seats." — Fresh Fiction
“Chilling and compassionate in equal measure, GRACE IS GONE is an emotionally charged thriller that kept me reading long into the night. While it’s undoubtedly a superior suspense novel, Elgar also excels in laying bare the often fragile bonds of supposedly close-knit communities. When the ending comes, be prepared to pick your jaw up off the floor.” — Caz Frear, internationally bestselling author of SWEET LITTLE LIES and STONE COLD HEART
“A psychological thriller of real power….We know we’re in good, sure hands.” — Shawangunk Journal and Sullivan County Democrat
