The Disappearance of Emily Marr

Written by Louise Candlish

Narrated by Multiple Narrators, Noreen Leighton and Penelope Rawlins

A gripping, twisty story of adultery and scandal from the bestselling author of Our House.

Some secrets are too dangerous to share . . .

When Emily Marr begins an affair with her married neighbour, the celebrated surgeon Arthur Woodhall, she has no idea of the tragedy and scandal their actions will cause. With shattering speed, she becomes the object of a media witchhunt, her only choice to change her identity and vanish.

Soon after, Tabby Dewhurst arrives on the Ile de Ré in France, estranged from her family and unable to afford even a room for the night. By chance, she meets Emmie Mason, whose offer of friendship is at odds with her obsession with privacy. As Tabby sinks deeper into Emmie's strange, hidden world, she begins to form suspicions - suspicions that will lead her back to England and to a revelation so shocking she must question everything she knows.
'Tense, twisty and completely addictive' Good Housekeeping

'A nail-biter.' Daily Express

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Dec 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781471249570

Louise Candlish

Louise Candlish is the internationally bestselling author of fifteen novels, including The Other Passenger, The Heights, and Our House, which won the Crime & Thriller Book of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards. It is now a major four-part TV drama starring Martin Compston, Tuppence Middleton, and Rupert Penry-Jones, available to stream on CBC Gem. Louise lives in London with her husband and daughter. Connect with her on Twitter @Louise_Candlish, Facebook @LouiseCandlishAuthor, and Instagram @LouiseCandlish.

Reviews for The Disappearance of Emily Marr

[sueincyprus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story written from the perspective of two women who are living on a small island off the coast of France. Tabby is almost penniless, having been abandoned by her long-term boyfriend. Emmie lives in a small house with a spare bedroom. She offers Tabby a room for a low rent, and also helps her to find a job.

The book alternates between the viewpoints of Tabby and Emily. I found the style slightly confusing at first, but Tabby with her open heartedness, living in the moment, quickly got under my skin. Emily took a bit longer to warm to, but her writing style was almost reminiscent of Susan Howatch in places and I gradually became more intrigued. This quiet, reserved woman apparently has a shocking secret, which Tabby is determined to discover.

I didn’t foresee the dramatic event in the middle, and I didn’t begin to guess a new turn to the storyline that happens towards the end, one which made several things fall into place.

It’s a modern book, with insight into the way social networking can turn something small into a nationwide phenomenon. It touches, too, on issues such Alzheimer’s Disease and depression. I was glad that, even though the book was about affairs, the bedroom doors were kept shut.

I would have given the book five stars, but for one thing: it finishes abruptly, leaving too many threads open. At the end are discussion notes followed by a few questions and answers. One asked if the author was going to write a sequel; she said that she wasn’t.

I would still give it four and a half stars if that were possible.

[Sharon Czudak · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty good, well written and absorbing as well as surprising, will say no more! There was one aspect which frustrated me but won't say what as don't want to give any spoilers. Enjoy!

[joweirqt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this. She's one of my favourite authors - not too mentally demanding after a full day using the brain, but not just chick-lit either.