What Was Lost

Reviews

“An off-beat quirky little mystery which punches way above its weight…The author’s achingly astute observations on consumerism make this far more than a generic mystery and the icing on the cake is a twist in the tail which I really didn’t see coming.”

“Stirring and beautifully crafted…Gripping to the end, the book is both a chilling mystery and a poignant examination of the effects of loss and loneliness.”

“O’Flynn has created an ensemble cast of fully developed and engaging characters—children, adults, and adolescents—and placed them in a plot that twists and turns more than the underground and locked stretches of the mall. And she creates sentences and verbal images that are both finely honed and flawlessly flowing. This is a book with high appeal to mystery and suspense fans, and also to anyone who appreciates fine writing or mesmerizing storytelling.”

“What Was Lost is a terrific, wonderful book and I loved every page of it.”

“What Was Lost is a delight to read—poignant, suspenseful, funny,  and smart…[It] is a moving novel, bespeaking not only the energy and inventiveness of its author but also the power of good old realism.”

“The bravest and most appealing adolescent this side of The Lovely Bones, aspiring detective Kate Meaney vanishes partway through Catherine O’Flynn’s mesmerizing debut novel, What Was Lost…There are many ways to feel invisible, we learn from this gentle, sharp-sighted tale of love and loneliness. And there are many ways to be found.”

“At once moving and wickedly funny, [What Was Lost] is one dazzling debut.”

“O’Flynn elevates common characters into fascinating studies of people and their circumstances. Her portrayal of Kate Meany, a young girl who spends her days playing detective, is vivid and heart-wrenching. The author’s tender sense of humor shines through her writing, providing relief from the sadness of the story.”

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