I've read a few of Jodi Picoult's books now, and I can honestly say I'm yet to be disappointed. That said, I wasn't entirely sure I would like this one, so I've been putting off reading it. I could not have been more wrong, though. I loved this book. So, so much!

The plot centres around Jenna Metcalf, a thirteen year old girl whose mother disappeared when she was three. Jenna is desperate to find out whether her mother is dead or just up and left her. So Jenna turns to two unlikely people to help her search: Serenity, a once- brilliant, but now failing, psychic, and Virgil, the cop who left the force right after failing to find Jenna's mother. The three people work together to try to uncover the truth. Jenna's father went to a psychiatric institution after Alice disappeared. But, what does that mean? Did he kill her?

The story is told from various POV's: Jenna, Virgil, Serenity, and Alice. In Alice's sections we get her narration on the events leading up to the night she left. She worked with elephants, documenting how they deal with grief. She starts out in Africa, but moves to an elephant sanctuary when she meets Thomas. I have to say, this is the part I wasn't sure I'd like. I thought there might be a few too many details on the elephants for me to remember everything. However, I couldn't have been more wrong. Yes; there are a lot of details about the elephants' lives, but they are so moving. The descriptions of mothers losing their babies and herds pulling together are fantastic. I had to swallow more than a few tears while reading this.

Oh, the last thing to mention is the end ... I won't say what happens and give it away, but it's flipping brilliant! Very clever indeed.

Anyone who likes a good story that is told with beautiful prose. Anyone who enjoys heart-tuggers. People who like elephants.

The parts that are focussed on the elephants. I also thought the relationships between Jenna, Virgil, and Serenity were fab.

Write this review. Then read anther Picoult.

Emotional. Happy. In awe of Picoult's talent.

Jodi Picoult. I don't think she gets enough credit for the size of her talent. The descriptions in this book are wonderful. And the plot is so clever.

It's just fab!

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Created Jun 17, 2022 at 2:12am • Submit your own review...