Review | BEFORE SHE WAS FOUND by Heather Gudenkauf

A gripping thriller about three young girlfriends, a dark obsession and a chilling crime that shakes up a quiet Iowa town, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Weight of Silence.

For twelve-year-old Cora Landry and her friends Violet and Jordyn, it was supposed to be an ordinary sleepover—movies and Ouija and talking about boys. But when they decide to sneak out to go to the abandoned rail yard on the outskirts of town, little do they know that their innocent games will have dangerous consequences.

Later that night, Cora Landry is discovered on the tracks, bloody and clinging to life, her friends nowhere to be found. Soon their small rural town is thrust into a maelstrom. Who would want to hurt a young girl like Cora—and why? In an investigation that leaves no stone unturned, everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted—not even those closest to Cora.

Before She Was Found is a timely and gripping thriller about friendship and betrayal, about the power of social pressure and the price of needing to fit in. It is about the great lengths a parent will go to protect their child and keep them safe—even if that means burying the truth, no matter the cost.

WARNING!!!! Major book hangover!!

I have read and enjoyed, other books by this author but this one was phenomenal!

See my reviews of THESE THINGS HIDDEN  and LITTLE MERCIES.

In the small town of Pitch, Iowa a 12-year-old girl is brutally stabbed and injured and the suspect has not been apprehended. Could a Social Studies project about urban legends be the catalyst for this attempted murder?

Three twelve-year-old girls, Cora, Jordyn, and Violet decide their subject is going to be about Joseph Wither. Wither, a 17-year-old resident of Pitch in the 1940s was said to be that he killed and kidnapped young females.

During the research of their project, one night they sneak to the old train depot where the killings and kidnappings supposedly took place. The three girls enter the area but something spooks them. Jordyn runs one way, Cora is found stabbed and clinging to life and Violet walks out of the woods covered in blood.

What happened that night? Who stabbed Cora? Many of the residents are hiding facts and/or evidence and the police are no closer to finding the suspect days after the incident. It could be anyone. Everyone in Pitch is a suspect.

This book will pull you in and eat you alive! The suspense grabs the reader and doesn’t let go until the frightful ending, which is when the reader finds out how this story comes to an end Or does it? The final pages will give you whiplash!!

I read this book in 2 sittings because I just couldn’t put it down!! A bone-chilling read!!

Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

• This blog was founded on the premise to write honest reviews, to the best of my ability, no matter who from, where from and/or how the book was obtained, and will continue to do so, even if it is through PICT or PBP.
• I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review. No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.
• I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I am providing link(s) solely for visitors that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.