Book Review: After She’s Gone by Lisa Jackson

About the Book

Cassie Kramer and her younger sister, Allie, learned the hazards of fame long ago. Together, they’d survived the horror of a crazed fan who nearly killed their mother, former Hollywood actress Jenna Hughes. Still, Cassie moved to L.A., urging Allie to follow. As a team, they’d take the town by storm. But Allie, finally free of small-town Oregon, and just that little bit more beautiful, also proved to be more talented—and driven. Where Cassie got bit parts, Allie rose to stardom. But now her body double has been shot on the set of her latest movie—and Allie is missing.

Police discover that the last call to Allie’s phone came from Cassie, though she has no recollection of making it. Instead of looking like a concerned relative, Cassie is starting to look like a suspect—the jealous sister who finally grew sick of playing a supporting role. As the tabloids go into a frenzy, Cassie ends up on a Portland psych ward. Is she just imagining the sinister figure who comes to her bedside, whispering about Allie—a visitor of whom there is no record? Is someone trying to help—or drive her mad?

Convinced she’s the only one who can find Allie, Cassie checks herself out of the hospital. But a sudden slew of macabre murders— each victim masked with a likeness of a member of Cassie’s family—makes Cassie fear for her safety and her sanity. The only way to end the nightmare is to find out what really happened to Allie. And with each discovery, Cassie realizes that no one can be trusted to keep her safe—least of all herself…

Review

After She’s Gone by Lisa Jackson starts off on a real interesting and fast pace. There is an attempted murder right at the first chapter and then Cassie checks herself out of an ‘institution’. At the same time, it is apparent that Cassie’s sister, Allie is missing. With so much going on, I was definitely hooked at the start trying to figure out the mysteries.

However, the book really slowed down after the first chapter. Chapters went by with nothing much happening and a lot of internal dialogue along the way. The slow pace sort of made me anxious and I found myself skimming through it trying to get to the interesting bits. I didn’t like Cassie at all. This also affected my feeling of the book in general since it focused more on her and was narrated mainly from her perspective although there were also other perspectives and quite a number of characters. I have come to realize lately that I do not really enjoying books that have multiple-narrators and many characters.

I enjoyed the final chapters of the book just as much as the beginning. The end was so suspenseful and it brought the story to a dramatic conclusion. In addition, even Cassie became a little more likeable towards the end.

I recommend After She’s Gone by Lisa Jackson to readers who enjoy books on family drama (this was one messed up family), murder mysteries and the whole idea of Hollywood and stardom. If you don’t mind a slow paced book then you are also more likely to enjoy this one. I have heard a lot of good things about Lisa Jackson so I can’t wait to try out another one of her books.

Final Thoughts: This book wasn’t really for me. However, I would recommend that you don’t dismiss it based on my opinion. Please read Laurel’s review here for an alternative opinion about it.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest opinion.

About the Book

• Title: After She’s Gone
• Author: Lisa Jackson