Publishers Weekly
07/19/2021
NYU freshman Claudia Castro, the protagonist of this provocative standalone from Edgar finalist Dahl (the Rebekah Roberts series), has pretty much sailed through her first 20 years—until the day she wakes up in her nearly deserted dorm during spring break with a black eye, busted lip, bruising hangover, and no idea what happened to her. Too shaken to contemplate facing her family, Claudia uncharacteristically accepts the kindness of fellow student Trevor Barber, a relative stranger from a working-class background. Claudia’s starting to get back on her feet when she receives a shattering video showing all too graphically some of what occurred during the time she can’t remember, and struggles with whether to go to the police and risk being forever defined as a victim, or seek her own vigilante-style justice with Taylor’s help. For better and worse, the glamour of Claudia’s lifestyle, including a palatial Martha’s Vineyard seaside estate as potential hideaway, make this psychological thriller pleasurable to read, but it also somewhat blunts the trauma of what is an all-too-real scenario. Though Dahl doesn’t hit a home run, credit her with ambitiously tackling a broad canvas. Agent: Stephanie Kip Rostan, Levine Greenberg Rostan. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Praise for The Missing Hours
OXYGEN: SEPTEMBER BOOK CLUB PICK
GOODREADS: INCLUDED IN THE BIGGEST MYSTERIES & THRILLERS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR ROUNDUP
NEW YORK POST: BEST NEW BOOKS TO READ
“An adventure thriller . . . a great reckoning with the moment we find ourselves in.” —New York Times Book Review
“The Missing Hours is a smart, thoughtful, and gripping book. You'll find it hard to put this novel down.” —Oxygen, September Book Club Pick
“[A] fast-paced, piercing evaluation of the aftermath of sexual assault. . . Dahl, who wrote the phenomenal Edgar Award-nominated Rebekah Roberts mysteries, writes brilliantly about how violence impacts victims and their communities.” —Medium
"This is a dark, gripping study of vengeance and of what it means to live in a woman’s body." —The Guardian
“A provocative and timely standalone novel.” —Oline Cogdill, South Florida Sun Sentinel
"A fast-paced thriller with multiple perspectives.. [Dahl] provides a timely story about an always relevant topic."— Library Journal
"[This Missing Hours] is a provocative standalone... Credit [Dahl] with ambitiously tackling a broad canvas." —Publishers Weekly
"[Dahl] is known for her fast-paced writing, but this one moves at breakneck speed and stays with you long after the last page."—Booklist
“Julia Dahl has crafted a satisfying and thought-provoking revenge thriller in The Missing Hours.” —CrimeReads
"Claudia’s story will resonate." —Mystery Scene
“A dark thriller about the meaning of vengeance, survival, and justice.” —Alafair Burke
“Does exactly what the best crime novels should.” —Ivy Pochoda
"Fast-paced and fierce.” —Elizabeth Little
"Highly recommended." —Lou Berney
“A swift, heart-pounding novel about money and power and violation.” —Steph Cha
“Remember to breathe, because Dahl has crafted a wickedly intense thriller that never lets up from the first page to the explosive finale.” —Jennifer Hillier
“Timely, taut, and gripping—an absolute must-read." —Laura McHugh
“I couldn’t stop thinking about this haunting, propulsive novel, and it will stick with me for a long, long time.” —Alex Segura
"A riveting tale of abuse and revenge that explores the dark underside of New York's privileged class.” —Alison Gaylin
“The Missing Hours grabs you from the start and never lets go." —Wendy Walker
“Utterly arresting, incredibly thoughtful, and in the end, as gripping as it is necessary. It'll stick with you long after you're done.” —Rob Hart
Library Journal
09/01/2021
Dahl's (Conviction; Run You Down) thriller is a fast-paced, multiple-perspective story of sexual abuse being dismissed, or even weaponized against its victim. At first glance, Claudia Castro has it all: famous parents, money, thousands of social media followers, sex appeal, and popularity. Unfortunately, things aren't as they seem. It turns out that Claudia is a hot mess. One night, she misses the birth of her niece and while she has bruises the next day, she has no memory of what she assumes was a drunken night out. Dumbfounded and ashamed, Claudia cuts off communication with her family and attempts to piece together the events of that night, with the help of a new friend. As Claudia's memory begins to clear, her feelings of dread transform into a deranged and dangerous desire for vengeance. What happens next is the outcry of an aggrieved woman whose only alibi is herself; wealthy and powerful people, like always, will attempt to prevail. VERDICT The plot is intriguing but doesn't quite hit the gritty climax readers might expect. Still, Dahl provides a timely story about an always relevant topic.—Carmen Clark, Elkhart P.L., IN
