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Still Missing is a mystery thriller written by Chevy Stevens in 2010. This story is about Annie O'Sullivan, a realtor, who was kidnapped and sequestrated by an unknown man, « David » for more than one year. She was abused, beaten and raped and we follow her ordeal during sessions at the psychologist to whom she delivers her story, and the psychological consequences that it provoked. She tries to start over and especially to understand why this man, whom she names « the Monster », chose her.
I enjoyed this book mainly because the story is really disturbing. The scenes which are described are sometimes harsh and you can not read them without thinking of how you would have acted if you were in place of the main character. Moreover, from the beginning of the book, the actions move on really quickly in a suspenseful atmosphere. That's why it was particulary hard for me to stop the reading, I was completely fascinated by the strength of that woman who lived the worst but who is still fighting for living a normal life. Furthermore, the fact that the author uses a common, even sometimes a slang language, allows us to indentify with her.
I found interesting the constrast between Annie who was a strong women, determined and independent and her persecutor who was mentaly fragile. However, we quickly find out they had a common point: an insane mother.
I can say that I like the entire book but my favourite scene was the death of Annie's baby. Indeed, during her sequestration, she got pregnant and, even if her daughter was the fruit of a rape, Annie put all her hopes in her. The baby became her only reason to survive but when she got ill, « the Monster » refused to give her drugs. One morning, Annie found her dead without knowing if she died of sickness or because of « David ». At that time, her descent into hell began. This scene almost made me cry because it was unexpected and Annie's feelings was really touching. The fact that we discovered her daughter's name, « Hope » at the very end reinforces that aspect.
The only thing that disappointed me was the end. Indeed, I think the conclusion is a bit far-fetched and badly explained. It comes to include all her family and I found the reasons quite excessive. However, her mother's personnality became more interesting but not enough examined.
To conclude, I think this is an almost perfect book and I recommend it to all those who loved thriller fictions.
Maïlys.
