Review: The Leaving by Tara Altebrando

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Date: June 7, 2016

Sometimes when a tragedy strikes, it affects the entire town. Especially when it’s a missing child. So when six kinder students go missing on the first day of school, it very nearly cripples this small town and the surrounding areas. Virtually the entire region pitches in to help find the kids. But as time moves on and clues begin to fade, the public’s interest fades as well. Only the families still hold on.

So eleven years later when five of these missing six come sauntering into town completely healthy but devoid of any memories over the past six years, it’s not surprising that it rocks the entire community. Why can none of them remember anything that’s happened to them? Where have they been? And how do you integrate back into….life after missing over a decade?

Tara Altebrando’s book is a twisty shocking rollercoaster of a ride that grabs you by the throat with the first sentence and does not let go until long after you’ve closed the cover. It’s that deep. That hard core. And that fabulous.

I really loved this book. The pacing was tight and though there were some frustrating moments when it felt like it was dragging bit too long on the hints and memories, it’s still compelling enough to engage your mind. For example, I figured some aspects of the story out pretty quickly, but others shocked me so much that I had to read and reread to make my brain accept the twists.   It’s kind of odd to say that the characterizations were spot  on because really, the whole book is these messed up teenagers who can’t remember anything that are trying to find themselves.

This book is a mystery wrapped up in a thriller and cinched together with heartwrenching  drama. It’s a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions from start  to finish with very little downtime in the middle. Even  if there are some things that you guess right away (I picked up one or two) there are enough shocks and twists to keep you not just entertained, but completely engaged. Honestly, it felt like this book grabbed both sides of my face and said “Look at me” and then didn’t let me look away til I was done.

I haven’t read Tara Altebrando’s work previously, but I am definitely going to track down some now. Don’t miss your chance to do the same!