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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Missing Pieces by Heather Gudenkauf

Missing Pieces is the newest book written by Heather Gudenkauf.  I have meant to read one of her books for years and probably own most of the rest of them.  I've heard really good things about them and decided this was where I would begin.  So, what did I think?  Well, it was an interesting story, but it did leave me with some questions and a tiny bit of dissatisfaction.  Let me tell you more.

Our story begins with Sarah and Jack Quinlan returning to his hometown of Penny Gate, Iowa.  Jack's Aunt Julia has been in an accident and she's hospitalized in critical condition.  His aunt and uncle opened their home to Jack and his younger sister, Amy, after their mother and father died.  Amy still lives in Penny Gate, but her life has been difficult due to many bad decisions.  Jack left Iowa for college, met Sarah and moved to Montana, where they had two daughters who are now college age themselves.  Sarah thinks that she and Jack have been pretty happy with their life.  She thinks that she knows most things about him and his family, even though she's had very little contact with them.  She thinks wrong.

After arriving in Iowa, the Quinlans meet the rest of the family at the hospital where Julia lies in a coma.  And slowly, things begin to change.  Sarah finds out that Jack's parents were not killed in a car accident.  His mother was murdered.  His father was suspected of being the killer.  And that's not all.  As the hours pass and Julia's condition deteriorates, Sarah's old journalistic instincts come into play.  An advice columnist now but formerly an investigative reporter, Sarah is faced with the knowledge that her husband has lied to her and kept a lot about his life secret.  Jack's family is grieving and worried, but acting oddly.  Sarah doesn't know these people well enough to judge whether they are hiding things too.  Did Julia actually have an accident or did someone try to hurt her?  As Sarah digs and digs, she places herself in danger.  What happened so many years ago and how does it relate to the Quinlan family today?

I was quickly drawn into Sarah and Jack's story.  Aunt Julia's accident and their trip to Iowa kept me turning the pages.  Learning that Jack had been hiding things for over 20 years and puzzling out what those things might be was interesting.  I read a lot of crime novels, so I guessed a solution pretty early on in the book.  But, that's more my familiarity with mysteries probably.  My issues came when I felt that Sarah's decisions didn't make a lot of sense.  She kept changing her mind for one thing and she was very quick to mistrust her husband.  Yes, he had kept things from her, but still...as a former investigative reporter, her methods seemed a bit erratic.  One of the characters that assisted Sarah in her quest and the actions that character took seemed way too simplistic.  And the whole scene in the library where Sarah was making copies was unbelievable.  Small town library.  Everyone would know what she was doing - certainly the librarian.

I also didn't feel that I knew Jack very well and didn't get enough info about why he acted the way he did through the years.  I felt the same about some of the other characters.  Sigh.  I guess this probably was not the book for me to start with in reading Heather Gudenkauf's writings.  I liked it well enough to keep reading, but I was frustrated multiple times and rolled my eyes.  I give this book one thumb up and one thumb down.

I am willing to take another chance on a Gudenkauf book though.  Have you read this book or any of her others?  What was your experience and do you recommend another one as a better book?  Reactions seems to be mixed about Missing Pieces, so I think my experience is not unusual.  Again, maybe I'm too well versed in mysteries and crime stories.  Tell me what you think - please!  And thanks.  Would I recommend this one?  Maybe to people who don't read a lot of crime novels or who like more gentle and less complicated mysteries.

27 comments:

  1. I haven't read her work but know people who like it. Sorry this wasn't a winner for you.

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    1. It wasn't bad, just disappointing in some ways. I think I might like another of her books better - possibly.

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  2. I have yet to read anything by Gudenkauf myself. I admit that the Iowa setting is appealing since that's where I live. Maybe I will start with a different book by her. This one sounds so-so.

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    1. I always hate to be kind of 'meh' about books, but that was what I felt for some of this read. I think I'll try another one - maybe one that someone else recommends here in the comments and see if another of her books will work better for me.

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  3. I read Little Lies and the prequel novella Little Mercies. (4 & 3 Stars respectively.) Thanks for your candid review of her latest.

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    1. Thanks for telling me, Pat. I'll keep LITTLE LIES in mind. :-)

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  4. I have not read anything by Gudenkauf. Maybe I'll start with another one if I try her.

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    1. It just didn't work too well for me, but I do know that others have liked it very much. That old 'not every book for every reader' thing.

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  5. Okay, time to 'fess up. I had this on my kindle and was going to read it for my March TBR challenge. I read about 20% and stopped, a put-aside-for-later, not a DNF. This was my least favorite of her books and I was disappointed. I read all her others, and recommend One Breath Away, my fave of hers.

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    1. Thanks for telling me about ONE BREATH AWAY, Rita. I think I already own that one and I'll try it soon. I didn't dislike this one, but it was a 'meh' one for me.

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  6. I've been considering this one but have had some serious reservations because just reading the blurb a few things didn't make sense. It always drives me crazy when a character who has a certain career or certain level of training acts in a completely irrational way and I have a feeling I would have issues with Sarah. And oh yeah - the librarian would totally know what she was doing. There are very few secrets in a small town. I want to read Gudenkauf but I think I'll try a different book. I think this one would drive me nuts!

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    1. I am pretty easy going about a lot of things in books that seem to upset or drive others crazy, but I guess I too have my limits about certain things. LOL

      I didn't dislike it, but it frustrated me. So, I'll try one of the books that Rita or Pat have suggested instead.

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  7. Oooooo...I read this book and loved it. I hear others said it wasn't as good as other books she has written.

    The only other book I read by Ms. Gudenkauf was LITTLE MERCIES. I liked that.

    Thanks for your great review and for always stopping by my blog.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog

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    1. Glad to know that this book worked well for you, Elizabeth. I always think that most books are right for some readers and then probably not perfect for others. But that's OK. We all come to them with different expectations and experiences. I'm putting LITTLE MERCIES on my list too.

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  8. Apparently, I read ONE BREATH AWAY back in 2012. I gave it a C because it wasn't very polished and spent too much time filling in backstory rather than pushing forward. I don't really remember the story, but it sounds like that book had some of the same issues as MISSiNG PIECES. Bummer.

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    1. I think I might remember that, Susan. I think this author's books seem to be rather hit or miss with a lot of readers. Which is fine. I'll likely try another one to see if I like it at some point. I've gotten some suggestions in the comments.

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  9. Yay I'm so pleased your feelings on this one chimed with mine - Sarah simply didn't really convince me on too many levels but, I have enjoyed all this authors other books particularly Little Mercies last year.

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    1. Cleo, your experience is one that I remember you relating in your review. Good to know that other books have worked well for you with this author. I've got a couple of suggestions to try in upcoming reads.

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  10. Kay, I'm not surprised with your review, this was my least favourite by hers. I would recommend you read the summary of Little Mercies, note Little Lies is the prequel and her debut Weight of Silence. The others have been ok. I haven't read One Breath though.

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    1. I'll definitely try another one in the future. Sometimes it's just not the right book for the person. But others will work very well. :-)

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  11. I'm new to this author so I couldn't comment much but after reading your review I know I won't pick up this book as a starter read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kay!

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    1. I think that would be wise, Melody. Begin with an earlier book.

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  12. I've only read Little Mercies by this author, and I liked it. I have this one and plan to read it. I'll be curious to see what I think--if the same things bother me.

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    1. I'll be interested in what you think too, Wendy. Based on some of the comments above, well, we'll see. :-)

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  13. I have read one of her books but unfortunately can't remember too much. I feel like the covers of her books make the stories seem much more sinister than they probably are. Again, probably because they are more dramas than mysteries. Enjoyed your review Kay! I do have this one on my Kindle so one of these days I'll get to it.

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    1. I hope you enjoy when you get to it, Iliana. I think you're correct in saying that this book at least was more of a drama than a mystery.

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  14. Oh no! Rolling eyes is never good! I've wanted to read this author too and know I have at least one of her books on my shelves. Hopefully it's not this one :)

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Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!