What do you think?
Rate this book
Missing
Missing is Shelley MacKenney's remarkable story of life as a 'missing person'. An inspirational tale of her journey through extreme personal crisis. "You can run, but you can't hide from yourself." Abandoned by her mother as a young child and with a father constantly on the run, Shelley's life was never normal. Her family's involvement with South London's criminal underworld left her isolated, vulnerable and lonely. Falling deeper and deeper into depression and despair - she snapped. Shelley got on the first coach out of London with only the clothes she stood up in and £30 in her pocket. She didn't care where she was going, as long as she could disappear completely from her oppressive life. For years, she lived anonymously in refuges, hostels and on the streets. It would take something remarkable to bring her back to the real world.
- GenresMemoir
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2014
8 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Shelley MacKenney
1 book9 followersauthor of "Missing" published by penguin on 22nd may 2014.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 27, 2014
Firstly a big thank you for Penguin for providing me with a review copy of missing in return for an honest review.
This book was so amazing, its actually hard to put into words. It bought out so many emotions, I felt myself smiling and crying at different points. I also found the book very hard to put down as even though I knew this was a true story I kept turning the page hoping for something good to fall into Shelley's lap and for her to have her 'happy ever after', Of course real life never has the same happy ending as fiction, but I think Shelley found her version of a happy ending.
The book is very well written and keeps you glued to it, in fact I devoured this book within 2 sittings, (would have been 1 had sleep not interfered). If you enjoy real life stories, I cannot recommend this enough.
This book was so amazing, its actually hard to put into words. It bought out so many emotions, I felt myself smiling and crying at different points. I also found the book very hard to put down as even though I knew this was a true story I kept turning the page hoping for something good to fall into Shelley's lap and for her to have her 'happy ever after', Of course real life never has the same happy ending as fiction, but I think Shelley found her version of a happy ending.
The book is very well written and keeps you glued to it, in fact I devoured this book within 2 sittings, (would have been 1 had sleep not interfered). If you enjoy real life stories, I cannot recommend this enough.
July 5, 2014
Received this book this book this morning and I didn't put it down! Such an amazing story that had me smiling laughing and sad at times but such an incredible journey. The story keeps you involved the whole way through.
Such a wonderful and brave story to tell.
Such a wonderful and brave story to tell.
March 18, 2026
Time taken to read - 4 days
Pages - 304
Publisher - Penguin
Source - bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Missing is Shelley MacKenney's remarkable story of life as a 'missing person'. An inspirational tale of her journey through extreme personal crisis. "You can run, but you can't hide from yourself." Abandoned by her mother as a young child and with a father constantly on the run, Shelley's life was never normal. Her family's involvement with South London's criminal underworld left her isolated, vulnerable and lonely. Falling deeper and deeper into depression and despair - she snapped. Shelley got on the first coach out of London with only the clothes she stood up in and £30 in her pocket. She didn't care where she was going, as long as she could disappear completely from her oppressive life. For years, she lived anonymously in refuges, hostels and on the streets. It would take something remarkable to bring her back to the real world.
My Review
Shelley is very sheltered in a family who are constantly involved with the wrong side of the law. Shelley tends to be the exception to the family, she gets an education, she has a respectable job, she is escorted and shielded constantly by someone in the family, usually her nana. She wants to take care of them and before long finds herself getting into debt and pressuring herself to the point where she makes some decisions that have lasting impacts. With it all too much Shelley takes off and runs away. This is her story about the before, during and after, leaving behind the safety of her family and into a new life of never knowing where the next bed/meal is coming from and a constant stream of people looking to take advantage.
It is a gritty raw real telling of life on the streets, going from one help facility to another, trying to make ends meet and facing down all kinds of danger. The amount of people who look to take advantage of people down on their luck, struggling with money and or homeless is actually quite frightening. Even females coming from a place of "safety" males would hang around and threaten and or try their luck.
The thing in this one I would say is how let down Shelley was in regards to her mental health and so many opportunities for support to be provided and yet missed. As a result she ostracised herself from everything she knew, did some risky behaviours and actions and would fall into relationships/friendships that weren't healthy.
A stark look at what drives someone to going missing and a rare look at coming out the other side, a honest personal journey that examines cause and effect and trying to pick up the pieces, reconnect with family after a sudden enforced silence and X years gone by. She talked about her nana a lot, a lady who was tough as nails, in and out of trouble with the law and took no snash from anyone. She actually wrote a book too which is referenced a couple of times in this so of course I had to buy it, hopefully get to it soon, 3.5/5.
Pages - 304
Publisher - Penguin
Source - bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Missing is Shelley MacKenney's remarkable story of life as a 'missing person'. An inspirational tale of her journey through extreme personal crisis. "You can run, but you can't hide from yourself." Abandoned by her mother as a young child and with a father constantly on the run, Shelley's life was never normal. Her family's involvement with South London's criminal underworld left her isolated, vulnerable and lonely. Falling deeper and deeper into depression and despair - she snapped. Shelley got on the first coach out of London with only the clothes she stood up in and £30 in her pocket. She didn't care where she was going, as long as she could disappear completely from her oppressive life. For years, she lived anonymously in refuges, hostels and on the streets. It would take something remarkable to bring her back to the real world.
My Review
Shelley is very sheltered in a family who are constantly involved with the wrong side of the law. Shelley tends to be the exception to the family, she gets an education, she has a respectable job, she is escorted and shielded constantly by someone in the family, usually her nana. She wants to take care of them and before long finds herself getting into debt and pressuring herself to the point where she makes some decisions that have lasting impacts. With it all too much Shelley takes off and runs away. This is her story about the before, during and after, leaving behind the safety of her family and into a new life of never knowing where the next bed/meal is coming from and a constant stream of people looking to take advantage.
It is a gritty raw real telling of life on the streets, going from one help facility to another, trying to make ends meet and facing down all kinds of danger. The amount of people who look to take advantage of people down on their luck, struggling with money and or homeless is actually quite frightening. Even females coming from a place of "safety" males would hang around and threaten and or try their luck.
The thing in this one I would say is how let down Shelley was in regards to her mental health and so many opportunities for support to be provided and yet missed. As a result she ostracised herself from everything she knew, did some risky behaviours and actions and would fall into relationships/friendships that weren't healthy.
A stark look at what drives someone to going missing and a rare look at coming out the other side, a honest personal journey that examines cause and effect and trying to pick up the pieces, reconnect with family after a sudden enforced silence and X years gone by. She talked about her nana a lot, a lady who was tough as nails, in and out of trouble with the law and took no snash from anyone. She actually wrote a book too which is referenced a couple of times in this so of course I had to buy it, hopefully get to it soon, 3.5/5.
January 5, 2020
Very good read, I finished it in 2 days. I don’t usually like true stories at least not autobiographies; but the blurb really drew me with this one, and the writing was personal and beautifully written but not self-indulgent the way many often are. This story highlights how easy it is for life to spin out of control and how easily things can escalate, and how difficult and how much inner strength is required to rebuild life afterwards. It was really personal and beautifully written, I enjoyed it a lot.
February 3, 2021
What an extraordinary read. I first became aware of Shelley MacKenney when she was interviewed by Bernard O'Mahoney and I was instantly fascinated, the topic was a tough one but the way she spoke was compelling, and this book demonstrates that throughout. Again the subject matter is hard and dark, but the journey is littered with her wonderful insights and dry humour. A person to admire.
September 22, 2020
This is a good book although I think there is one part of the book that is made up.She says she stole a video game console out of a shop but when I bought a PS3 console out of Blockbusters the box was empty and they got the console out of the back room.Other than that it's a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2017
Good book.
January 3, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book.
“Things happen everyday: feelings surface, problems occur, mistakes are made. But they can be turned round and made positive by pragmatism.”
“Things happen everyday: feelings surface, problems occur, mistakes are made. But they can be turned round and made positive by pragmatism.”
February 2, 2022
amazing
Loved this book going to read your nans book now your amazing well down to you and good luck for your future 🥰
Loved this book going to read your nans book now your amazing well down to you and good luck for your future 🥰
March 6, 2022
Good read
Lovely book couldn’t put it down very moving story she went through so much in her younger life would recommend it I’m going to read her nans book Borstal Girl
Lovely book couldn’t put it down very moving story she went through so much in her younger life would recommend it I’m going to read her nans book Borstal Girl
July 10, 2022
Such a good read and a massively inspiring lady, it’s made me grateful for everything I have.
September 2, 2014
Shelley MacKenney is an amazing woman. After suffering a breakdown she runs away from her life in London to Birmingham. From then on in it's a fight for her to survive, staying in refuges, sleeping on the streets. Some of the situations she ends up in are truly terrifying as she makes her way through an horrific world the majority of us don't even realise is there and are shielded from, where creepy lowlifes prey on the weak and vulnerable women who end up on the streets. Shelley however is far from weak, her courage, brains and sheer determination to drag herself out of the mess she's in truly inspiring. Beautifully written, touching and told from the heart, this is an excellent, true life book and I would highly recommend it.
July 28, 2014
I wrote a full review, no spoilers, of Missing by Shelley MacKenney over on my blog - Review of Missing by Shelley MacKenney
I thought this book was so touching. I have so much respect for what Shelley had to deal with. I have also spoken a bit with the author and she is such a lovely woman! A fantastic and inspiring read!
Claire
I thought this book was so touching. I have so much respect for what Shelley had to deal with. I have also spoken a bit with the author and she is such a lovely woman! A fantastic and inspiring read!
Claire
October 10, 2014
I was leant this by a friend so sort of knew what to expect before I read it. I still couldn't read it at night because I found it so depressing in parts. As a result it took me a bit longer to read which I think gave me longer to consider it.
What this young women has gone through is shocking but all the more shocking is the blase attitude members of the support staff etc had to the men hanging around the shelters etc. truly
terrifying and an utterly compelling read.
What this young women has gone through is shocking but all the more shocking is the blase attitude members of the support staff etc had to the men hanging around the shelters etc. truly
terrifying and an utterly compelling read.
August 30, 2014
Captivating real life tale.
May 5, 2015
Enjoyable read. A seriously strong and resourceful individual.
July 21, 2015
Brilliant insight into addiction, abandonment and lost. very enthralling autobiography and a must read. I found it very emotional particularly as a mother it touched me greatly.
March 7, 2016
Excellent book, really enjoyed and, very detailed, brilliant!
May 14, 2016
Stunning book. Well told. Had tears in my eyes. Very touching, but also enlightening. Makes you thankful for your life.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews