'Elizabeth is Missing' Short Review

‘Elizabeth is Missing’, by Emma Healey, is an intriguing novel about 70-year-old Maude who is determined to find her friend Elizabeth, as she is convince that something is wrong – even if no one trusts her memory.

The novel both is a mystery, told through Maude’s eyes, and a thought-provoking commentary on dementia. The latter is demonstrated through the first person narration with which we see the struggles Maude goes through in her everyday life and in trying to figure out where Elizabeth is. After reading, I felt I understood just how frustrating the lack of independence could be, as well as the vulnerability that comes with this particular disease. Personally, it provided a fascinating insight into the day to day difficulties that comes with dementia, and the dismissive, sometimes outright cruel, attitudes that are held towards the elderly. While this was not the primary issue of the book, in my opinion, it transformed an average mystery novel into a heart-breaking, enthralling tale, which forced me to reconsider my preconceived notions about the elderly and the effects of dementia.

Furthermore, the most captivating element of the book was undeniably the mystery of what happened to Elizabeth. Though I am not an avid reader of the particular genre, I did enjoy trying to solve the enigma alongside Maude. Interspersed with snippets of her memories from when she was a child, each chapter contrasts the different stages of her life very well and keeps you hooked. From the gripping unravelling of the mystery to the resolution of the thriller, I was more than satisfied with how it was resolved.

An aspect that may not be as enjoyable to some is the first person perspective. Though crucial to the story, it means the pace was quite slow and the style was repetitive, because of the choice of narrator. I found it added an interesting dynamic and helped to reflect the scattered state of Maude’s mind very well.

Overall, I felt this novel was beautifully told and a good mystery with a unique protagonist. Healey dealt with many troubling issues and discussed it sensitively, leaving a great impression with the reader.