Meg and Grace are the darlings of their community – with so many disabilities Grace needs round the clock care and Meg is the doting mother who is friends with everyone in town. So when Meg is found dead and Grace is missing the whole town is spurred to action – but can they find Grace before it’s too late?

I have to admit I am a bit True Crime Obsessed; my podcast library is full of titles such as My Favourite Murder and The Murder Squad and my Netflix account often recommends titles such as The Ted Bundy Tapes or The Confession Killer. One of *my* favourite murders is the insane story of Gypsy Lee Blanchard and her mother Dee Dee which is the true crime story this book is based on. What makes this so strange is I actually requested this book without realising this - it was only when I read the blurb and started reading that I worked it out! The story is fairly true to the real events with a divergence towards the end and added storytelling narrative of friend Cara and journalist Jon who try to find out the truth. These added characters worked really well and I enjoyed seeing the story through their eyes.

If you haven’t heard of the case before I heavily urge you to not google it until you finish the book (although please do afterwards as it is so fascinating). Part of the downfall of the book for me was knowing the twist before starting to read it which ruined it somewhat although the ending is different enough to be interesting. I did, however feel that the big reveal was almost skimmed over which was a bit sad – it was all just recounted in a diary entry which I didn’t think had as much of an impact on the reader as it could have had. I did however love the last chapter and thought that really emphasised the ambiguity of the real case very nicely.

Overall Grace is Gone is a great thriller with a grounding in reality which makes it an even more interesting read. Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK – Sphere for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Grace is a poorly girl living with her mum and trying to get by when the worst happens. Her mother dies and she disappears but where has she gone. Jon a journalist has a history with a family but can he now figure out the truth and find Grace.

This was an interesting story and it really does make you think about the whole situation. The plot was cleverly done though I had figured out much of the truth about Grace. The story is told from different perspectives and the diary entries of Grace giving more depth to the story. The ending was very well written leaving me thinking what I would have done. I liked Cara but never quite warmed to Jon. Some of his actions were too questionable. A solid psychological thriller.

I am obsessed with bizarre and convoluted true stories of murder, so when I read the synopsis for Grace Is Gone on NetGalley, I recognised it right away. This mystery is based on the incredible story of Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose Blanchard and I was delighted to be accepted for it.

Meg and Grace Nichols are the small English town of Ashford’s sweethearts. Meg is a single mum to sick, disabled 17-year-old Grace and she works tirelessly to ensure that her daughter gets the very best care available. When their neighbour Cara discovers Meg brutally murdered and Grace gone, she takes it upon herself to find the vulnerable teen and get to the bottom of what really happened. With the help of disgraced journalist Jon Katrin, Cara delves into a truth that no one could have ever fathomed.

Elgar captures the spirit and motives of a small town community very well. TMeg and Grace are so well-loved within their neighbourhood and this could be a reason that the truth was overlooked for so many years. The fact that the book is based on a real case brings home the truly shocking nature of it. No one suspected Dee Dee’s authenticity, just like no one suspects Meg’s because of course, why would anyone lie so extensively for such a long period of time?

There are extracts from Grace’s diary that Cara manages to take from the crime scene. Grace comes across as a heartbreaking case of a young girl who just wants a normal life but has been refused that by sheer bad luck. However, I could sense that Grace was holding back certain things. You’d assume her diary would be her one pocket of privacy where she’d be able to let all of her true emotions and secret thoughts loose but I could almost sense Meg’s eyes reading it, denying even this tiny shred of freedom.

Cara is a fantastic character and I loved the relationship between her and Jon. As a former wannabe journalist who is constantly seeking approval from other people, I related to her on a very deep level. He acknowledges her journalistic talent and despite his career crash, she recognises that he has skills and experience that are worth passing on. They make a great team and their investigative scenes were definitely my favourite parts of the whole book.

The case reminds us that we can’t always trust what we see to be the truth. Everyone has secrets and private lives and often we can’t even imagine the nature of those things. Sometimes it takes a mind-blowing event to re-organise our perspectives and enhance the little details to finally see what was always right there. A regularly functioning brain does all it can to give itself an easy life, so maybe it’s even natural to miss signs of something not quite adding up.

If you’re familiar with the case of the Blanchards, then nothing in Grace Is Gone will shock you. The plot is pretty much identical to the story that inspired it, which is why I couldn’t give the book any more than three stars. I kept hoping that there would be a totally different ending or some kind of major twist on the real story but sadly, nothing like that ever came. However, if you’ve never come across Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose, strap yourself in for a truly world-rocking, disturbing ride!

A novel based on truth.

Cara’s mother has asked her to take the clothes she and the other neighbours have been saving for their nearest neighbours, Megan and Grace. Grace is wheelchair-bound; a very sickly young girl. Megan is thought of as the saint on their estate, always caring for Grace, a woman who escaped a violent ex-husband who she also holds responsible for allowing their young son to drown.

What Cara finds instead is Cara’s wheelchair overturned and Meg bloodied and dead.

Jon, a journalist, had written an article about Meg and Grace, which unfortunately for him, asked the question why Cara’s father was not allowed to see her. Meg and Grace and in fact, the entire estate were enraged that he could take such a stance against this “saintly” woman.

With Meg dead and Grace missing, Jon and Cara must try to discover where she is and try to rescue her, especially as she can’t last long without her medicine.

Emily Elgar drip feeds you throughout this book. Is everything as you see it? Does Grace want to be found? Who was Meg – a saint or a sinner?

This is one of the most brilliant books I’ve read in a long time. I never for one second expected the outcome. Thank you Emily Elgar. You certainly kept me guessing right up until the very last page and even that outcome was unexpected!

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

Yes. This book. Just yes.

If you are familiar with the real life story then the twists are fairly predictable., but still it is well worth the read. It is well written and the characters are fleshed out and everything is handled well I think, as an outside perspective. I loved this book a lot.

So 'Grace is Gone' is based on the very well known real life case of Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose Blanchard; an American mother and the daughter she abused through faking numerous life-limiting illnesses. Their case stunned the world when it became public, and it left many in England stumped as to how Dee Dee had managed to manipulate the system to get what she wanted. As such, seeing the story through the lens of the British medical system made the heinous act far more accessible and understandable.

'Grace is Gone' uses a dual narrative approach. The initial chapter is from the perspective of mum Meg; however, after that the narrative instead alternates between neighbour Cara and reporter Jon, and interspersed with diary entries written by Grace herself. At first, I will admit that I was a bit disappointed for Meg's POV to be so brief, as I was really hoping to see inside her mind - how does she cope with her own delusions? But as the book continued I did find the choice of narrators to be a good one, as it offered you an insight from both a close friend and a stranger who was removed from the situation.

This was an odd one though, as knowing the true story did sort of take the suspense away a bit. The big reveals about Meg and her illnesses were to me quite predictable, which I suppose they were meant to be? It's an odd thing to be reading about a true case where the mystery element of it is already known. Although there were still some surprises as the plot did obviously vary slightly from the true story.

I found the ending to be particularly strong, as Elgar made the bold decision to alter the ending from the true story on which it is based. Each character has some sort of resolution, some more satisfying than others, and it was very interesting to see the influence that Meg and Grace had on the lives of those around them, even after they were gone.

Overall, I thought this was a good strong book. It was unusual for me in the sense of knowing what was coming, as I followed the origin story on which it is based quite avidly so many of the little twists were easy to see coming. I still enjoyed it though, and would definitely pursue the authors next book eagerly.

If anyone knows what real-life story this book is based on, then you’ll know roughly what to expect from this. If not, you’re in for a great read! This book is definitely not what you expect, with a brilliant hook that just builds the suspense throughout.

The characters in this are really varied, from Cara to Jon, who are determined to uncover the truth, to Grace herself, and all the others who become involved throughout. I felt like I was able to engage with all of them and that they all brought something to the story. Each person added a layer of mystery and intrigue and I loved how it all came together to add to the final story.

I think that the general pace of this was great, perhaps as I realised what was happening early on I kind of knew what to expect so was waiting for the reveal but the writing was excellent so this didn’t matter too much. It was the bit after the reveal that I was looking forward to and it was fast-paced, full of action with some really chilling moments.

This book is also a great examination of moral obligation, with feelings of guilt running the whole way throughout the story. It really looks deeply into how the other characters feel about Grace and her story and the way they feel about their own role in it. It’s fascinating at times and this is the element of the book that I really enjoyed. It’s a great book, but where the excellence really lies is in the investigation into the morals and feelings of the characters involved. I’d definitely recommend this as a chilling, character-driven book.

A fantastic thriller that takes a look at a complicated illness that I found enthralling.
Well written and interesting

The back of the book blurb described this as being 'inspired' by true events. I wasn't familiar with the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case. Since finishing this book i have read the true story. I have to say that I felt it was more than just 'inspired' It WAS the true story just with the names changed! I felt uncomfortable with this as there was no foreword acknowledging this. To me it felt almost like it was cheating to all this a work of fiction - if that makes sence.....

I read this story blind as I previously noted and was able to guess the general storyline and outcome. There was not much intrigue or mystery. Having said this i still thought the writing was reasonable but apart from few name changes and the addition of a few characters this was in essence the Gypsy Rose Blanchard story.

Thank you Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

This ook is based on a true story. Grace is seventeen years old. She's dependent on her mother, Megan as she has several health issues. Megan has suffered abuse from her husband. Megan decides to take Grace and start a new life together. Their neighbour, Cara crops round to drop something off and discovers Megan, who's been brutally murdered. Grace is missing. Caras partner, Jon is a journalist. He goes to the scene even though theres an order preventing him from doing so.

What an intriguing read this book was. I was hooked from reading the blurb. I hadn't heard of the case that this story is based on. Its told mainly by Cara and Jon's point of view though we do get entries from Grace in the form of diary. The book is well written. My first book by the author but it wont be my last.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author Emily Elgar for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meg and Grace, the mother and daughter admired by all in the village of Ashford. Meg and Grace, devoted single mother and disabled, wheelchair bound daughter. Meg and Grace, mother and daughter beneficiaries of many fundraisers, special grants and donations. Meg and Grace…do you really know them? Meg and Grace, murdered and kidnapped.

As Grace is Gone, based on a true story, opens, Meg is found beaten to death by her neighbor Cara. Grace is gone. The mystery unravels as different voices narrate information and provide clues. Cara, a college student whose mother was Meg’s best friend, wants to find her fragile friend Grace. Jon, a journalist who made a near career ending move when he wrote an article mildly criticizing Meg, wants to reunite with his estranged wife and son. He hopes to do that by finding Grace. Graces’s words also drive the story by the diary she left behind and the secret diary she hid.

While you may guess some of the truth as the story races to a thrilling conclusion, author Emily Elgar always stays ahead of you, tossing clues and revealing secrets. Grace is Gone will keep you thinking long after you’ve finished the last page. 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Emily Elgar for this ARC.

Ooh an interesting book with an ending I didnt quite see coming! I liked how it was split between 2 people that weren't really the main characters, just the side liners who happened to be involved! Really well written and I'm excited to tell everyone about this book!

Really good thriller that sends the shivers down your spine because it's based on real events.
The pace is really good, with engaging writing and a few twists that make the journey really good.

thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

Twisty psychological thriller inspired by true events

A psychological thriller that will keep you guessing and captivated until everything is resolved at the surprising end. Inspired by a true story.

Megan is found murdered and her disabled daughter, Grace, missing. Can Grace be found before her need for medication turns this into a double tragedy? Simon, a journalist who had previously written an unpopular piece about Megan and Grace, sees finding Grace as his chance to redeem himself in the eyes of the local community, but will the personal cost to him be too great?

Wow this thriller kept me guessing. Its about secrets and lies, and about relationships and friends looking out for each other. But mostly its about Grace and the race to find, and save, her. Great characters with fast moving action.

5*s from me because this is a great fast moving story, which, being based on a true story, gave me plenty to think about. Sections that I found a little far-fetched, turned out to have actually happened. I was not aware of the original case before googling it; don’t ruin the story by reading about it until you’ve finished the book. The Author’s Note at the end gives the name of the true case (and includes spoilers).

Suspense filled, intriguing and gripping, I couldn't put it down! The main characters are well written and have a depth that makes you want to find out more.

This book is based on a true story, that of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, which took place in the United States, an absolutely mind-blowing, harrowing event that scarred a whole community. I was mesmerised by the whole case. There is also another book to be published next month too with the author's own twist on it.
The author does disclose that this is her take on the true-life case but set in the UK. There are some additional characters used and a twist at the end but the flux of the story remains the same. If you know the story or have read the book coming out next month then there won't be a great deal of surprises for you in this.
The author's characters are well developed and I really enjoyed the added spin-offs of the fictional characters such as Jon. The story is gripping in every way and it is heartbreaking to know that this happened. Grace's mum was a force to be reckoned with where the health care system was concerned. I mean how could so many doctors have fallen for all this, but they did.
A stunning story, if you have no knowledge of the real case. It is the shock element that makes this.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

A brilliant story, chilling and gripping.
I couldn't put it down and it kept me on the edge till the last time.
It's well written and the author did an excellent job of turning a true crime into fiction.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

What a gripping, engaging and tense read. Not your standard, run of the mill thriller. I really liked it how the outcast journalist and former best friend of the now missing Grace are your lead characters as their story and investigation unfolds. There’s plenty of misdirection but plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. I guessed the big reveal, but this didn’t detract my enjoyment of this book. And added to the fact that this is based on true events, this makes this story even more horrific. (WARNING: don’t research the true basis of this story!!) This book does take you to some dark places; including mental ill health and suicide. Having said all that, this was a brilliant read!!

A really good read with lots of twists and turns and shocks. Well written and well thought out and a compelling read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

When Cara comes to her neighbours’ house, she’s got a guilty conscience, she hasn’t seen Grace as often as she could have and the girl hardly has contact to anybody apart from her mother. Suffering from multiple diseases, she is confined to the house and needs a wheelchair to move around. What Cara finds, however, is not Grace and her loving mother Meg, but a horrible crime scene: the mother has been slaughtered and the daughter is gone. Who would do such a thing to the most beloved family of the small Cornish city of Ashford? Haven’t they suffered enough with the daughter fatally ill and their son who drowned a couple of years earlier? Together with journalist Jon, who published a not so pleasing portrait of mother and daughter a couple of months before, Cara starts to investigate and soon realises that the public picture of Grace and Meg differs a lot from reality.

Emily Elgar’s novel is a real page turner which offers some unexpected twists. The author has well dosed the revelations about Grace and Megan’s past to keep the reader hooked and curious to find out who they really were. What I liked most was the fact that – set aside the murder of Meg – most of what is told about them could be true and surely happens every day. This makes the suspenseful psychological thriller also a very sad story and leads the reader to ponder about the question how such a story could take place.

It is quite difficult to talk about the characters or the plot without giving away too much of it and spoiling the fun for other readers. I liked having alternate narrators who tell the events from their respective point of view and I also rarely find crime stories where the police and their investigation only play a minor role, or rather: none at all. Even though I had the correct idea of why and how the scheme was set up, I enjoyed reading the novel thoroughly.