When The Stars Go Dark

By: Paula McLain 

Location: FIC McL

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Anna Hart is a seasoned missing persons detective in San Francisco with far too much knowledge of the darkest side of human nature. When tragedy strikes her personal life, Anna, desperate and numb, flees to the Northern California village of Mendocino to grieve. She lived there as a child with her beloved foster parents, and now she believes it might be the only place left for her. Yet the day she arrives, she learns that a local teenage girl has gone missing.

The crime feels frighteningly reminiscent of the most crucial time in Anna's childhood, when the unsolved murder of a young girl touched Mendocino and changed the community forever. As past and present collide, Anna realizes that she has been led to this moment. The most difficult lessons of her life have given her insight into how victims come into contact with violent predators. As Anna becomes obsessed with saving the missing girl, she must accept that true courage means getting out of her own way and learning to let others in.

Weaving together actual cases of missing persons, trauma theory, and a hint of the metaphysical, this propulsive and deeply affecting novel tells a story of fate, necessary redemption, and what it takes, when the worst happens, to reclaim our lives--and our faith in one another.

Review by Lindsey

“Mothers and fathers are supposed to stay.”

A slow burning, beautifully written, haunting and highly atmospheric mystery.

Anna is a detective who specializes in missing persons. She lives and breathes for her job and has an indescribable connection to the victims she is searching for. Anna is drawn to her childhood hometown where she finds herself aiding the local police force in the case of a young teen who has disappeared.

This book was phenomenal! Unique, messy and mysterious characters. Thick, palpable, remote small town atmosphere. Intriguing, slow building and addictive mystery.

I loved Anna! She was so strong and determined, yet vulnerable facing her personal inner struggles. I truly enjoyed following her journey and really hope to spend more time with her (crossing my fingers this may become a series)!

The writing was exquisite! I was completely consumed by the beautiful prose and heart wrenching storyline. There are some heavy topics covered within the pages of this story. Several times, I stopped to fully absorb the sentences I was reading. Very powerful and thought provoking topics surrounding adoption and a child’s sense of belonging and personal identity.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. A definite favourite for 2021. I’m thrilled to report it lived up to the hype!