The Girl From Widow Hills by Megan Miranda

 Our Mystery Book Club read The Girl From Widow Hills for our October selection. 

We were able to meet in a park in the evening again, although a little earlier since we are loosing daylight earlier. We had nine that attended. Not they usual 15-20 when we meet in in person but a good number to have decent discussion. We actually only had about that many attend when we did virtual meetings. The weather is pretty nice here right now, so it is good to get outside. 

 

About: "Arden Maynor was just a child when she was swept away while sleepwalking during a terrifying rainstorm and went missing for days. Strangers and friends, neighbors and rescue workers, set up search parties and held vigils, praying for her safe return. Against all odds, she was found, alive, clinging to a storm drain. The girl from Widow Hills was a living miracle. Arden’s mother wrote a book. Fame followed. Fans and fan letters, creeps, and stalkers. And every year, the anniversary. It all became too much. As soon as she was old enough, Arden changed her name and disappeared from the public eye.

Now a young woman living hundreds of miles away, Arden goes by Olivia. She’s managed to stay off the radar for the last few years. But with the twentieth anniversary of her rescue approaching, the media will inevitably renew its interest in Arden. Where is she now? Soon Olivia feels like she’s being watched and begins sleepwalking again, like she did long ago, even waking outside her home. Until late one night she jolts awake in her yard. At her feet is the corpse of a man she knows—from her previous life, as Arden Maynor.

And now, the girl from Widow Hills is about to become the center of the story, once again, in this propulsive page-turner from suspense master Megan Miranda."

I thought it was pretty good. I did wish for more of the back story at the beginning but that is told during each chapter with a news article from the past. It is a page turner, quick read. The tension escalates as the story goes on. We are wondering if Olivia is mentally unstable, or is everyone around her. There are several characters that I questioned there motives and behavior. Several "bad idea" moments for me. The ending was a little confusing to me.

What the group thought: There was actually mixed reviews. I would say half liked it also and actually wanted more at the end, hoping for a follow up book or at least another chapter. Some thought it was ok and a couple did not like it, thinking it was confusing and not plausible. One person had brought another book by the author with her that she had started. 

One thing that struck me and one other person mention was that it reminded me of Baby Jessica from 1987. A true event that happened in West Texas. Jessica was 18 months old and fell into an open well accidently. It took 56 hours to get her out. The story consumed the news here. I remember that it felt longer than 56 hrs. There are a couple similarities to that story and this book. We wondered if the author drew on some of that story. You can read her story in Wiki if interested.