Fragments of the Lost

When her ex-boyfriend is lost after his car crashes through a bridge, his mother asks Jessa if she will clear out his room, because there are so many memories of her in there.  The process is a traumatic one, but Jessa feels she has to do it.  However as she sorts through everything it is like unpeeling layers of an onion; every layer bringing with it memories of when she and Caleb were a couple.  It also brings to light other aspects of his life; secrets that he has been keeping for years.  Gradually Jessa discovers that there are mysteries to be solved and questions answered.  The real issue is about how many people are involved in these events and whether they have any relationship to Caleb’s disappearance.

This is a great story for those who like a mystery to solve and particularly when it is a complex and multi-layered plot like this one.  Jessa is an ordinary girl who finds herself gradually being caught up in events and is made to wonder, by Caleb’s mother, whether she was in any way to blame for what has happened.  As the story develops she begins to add the clues together and this leads her own family to worry about her health.  This is very much a story about family and relationships, as well as the difficulties of being a teenager.  It also asks ‘how well do you actually know people?’  Jessa is lucky to have family and friends who are supportive but even they find it difficult to understand what she is doing.  The author has woven a really fascinating story that gradually hooks the reader into the lives of the characters; the plot is strong and fast flowing but with periods of reflection.  This will be popular with those who like puzzles to solve, but also like a slice of romance to go with it.