"Before She Disappeared" by Lisa Gardner follows Frankie Elkin, a middle-aged recovering alcoholic with a passion for solving cold cases involving missing persons. Unlike traditional detectives, Frankie is a self-taught investigator with no official credentials—just a burning desire to bring closure to families who have lost hope.

The story kicks off with Frankie arriving in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston, a tough area largely inhabited by Haitian immigrants. She’s there to find Angelique Badeau, a teenage girl who vanished eleven months ago on her way home from school. The local police have exhausted all leads, and Angelique’s case has gone cold, but Frankie isn’t deterred. She dives headfirst into the tight-knit, wary community, facing suspicion and resistance from both residents and law enforcement alike.

Frankie’s investigation is far from easy. She discovers that Angelique was a bright student with dreams of becoming a doctor, but she was also deeply entangled in the complexities of her immigrant community and the dangers lurking within it. As Frankie delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets involving gangs, drugs, and violence, all of which could have led to Angelique’s disappearance.

What makes Frankie’s journey so compelling is her own vulnerability. She’s haunted by personal demons, struggling with her sobriety, and grappling with her own sense of purpose. Yet, her determination to find Angelique pushes her forward, even as she confronts danger at every turn.

In the end, Frankie’s relentless pursuit of the truth pays off, but not without significant personal risk. She uncovers the heartbreaking reality of Angelique’s fate, providing closure for her family and community. "Before She Disappeared"  is a gripping, emotional thriller that explores the lengths one woman will go to for justice, even when she’s running from her own past.💫