Title: Emma in the Night
Author: Wendy Walker
Publication Date: August 8, 2017
Pages: 320
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Date Started: June 27, 2017
Date Finished: June 30, 2017
Format: Kindle

*I would like to thank the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

While I was living in Japan, I went on a serious crime reading binge. I read several crime books in rapid succession. I have problems keeping focused for long periods of time, so crime and mystery helps bring me back to my center, due to my mind actively sorting through the clues in order to solve the mystery before the grand reveal. Granted, I am absolutely terrible at putting together clues to solve mysteries. Maybe that’s why I can read so many without losing interest.

But I have to hand it to Wendy Walker. Emma in the Night was a fabulous surprise of twists and turns. I was barely able to put this novel down to go to work, and when I wasn’t soaking up the words, all I could do was think about finishing it and learning the truth.

This novel revolves around the disappearance of two sisters. Except, three years later, one of the sisters, Cass, returns to her parents’ doorstep. Her mysterious appearance and story baffle not only the law enforcement who have been working the case for years, but also her family. This leaves the question, where is Emma, the other sister?

Much of this novel revolves around the family dynamics before the girls vanished. The mother exhibits Narcissistic Personality Disorder, leading to a rocky and troubled upbringing for both Cass and Emma. Having dealt very closely with individuals suffering from this same disorder, Walker hit the nail pretty darn close. At times, however, the description of the affliction seemed to dominate the narrative, even though a shorter description would have sufficed. I wonder if those who have not had experiences with such individuals would have appreciated or been alienated by such incorporation into the story? Regardless, I loved the story, and will be hunting down a copy of Walker’s previous work.

Overall, 4/5 moose