SOLVED. Mystery in which a young detective girl goes missing when a new mall is built. [s]

[Roos]

I read this book around six years ago, and I have sadly forgotten most of the main part of the novel... But I do remember the beginning!

The book starts out with a chapter from the POV of a young girl, who likes to play detective. She made her own little book of various magazine cut outs of peoples faces to use when interrogating people, so that they could point out what 'suspects' might have looked like. She also has some plushie that she drags around and has conversations with. I believe this all takes place in a cafe in a mall.

The middle section has a guy working night shifts at a new mall that was made. There was also a woman, I think she was a journalist? The details are really hazy, sorry!

At the end of the novel, the night shift worker finds out what happened to the little girl from the first chapter: (view spoiler)[ one of the custodians/janitors burried her in the foundation of the building to bring good luck. I think her actual death was an accident, but he's not sorry about it at all. (hide spoiler)]

I think the author was a woman. The book is set in America, so I guess she's American? Lastly, the book was translated into Dutch.

I really hope someone recognises this book! I know it's not an awful lot to go off of...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Children's, YA, or adult?
How old is the girl?
Cover?
Series?

[Roos]

Thanks for your questions!

The book is for adults. The girl was quite young as she had that plushie, but she could read and write, so I think around 8 years old? She's only in the first chapter; the rest of the book focusses on the night shift worker.
I don't remember anything about the cover, sorry. I assume it was dark because it is a suspenceful book, but that's just a guess.
It was a stand alone book.

Also, I read it six years ago, but it was a library book, so it might be published way earlier than that; it wasn't a new library book.

[Kris]

What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn seems to match your description.

(Google search -- site:www.goodreads.com mystery girl missing mall wanted to be a detective)

[Linda]

It very much sounds like What Was Lost by as the above poster mentions and which I have read too. It is set in England, not the US, but everything else matches.

[Roos]

Yes, that is the one! Thank you so much!! :D

[Kris]

Great. Glad we could help, Rowace.