Synopsis: The truth is never skin deep.
It was supposed to be a romantic getaway weekend in New York City. Breanna’s new boyfriend, Ty, took care of everything—the train tickets, the dinner reservations, the rented four-story luxury rowhouse in Jersey City with a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline.
But when Bree comes downstairs their final morning, Ty is nowhere to be found and there’s a stranger dead in the foyer—the missing woman the entire Internet has become obsessed Janelle Beckett. Soon, both the police and an army of Internet sleuths are asking questions Bree doesn’t know how to answer. Desperate to find Ty and to keep her own secrets buried, Bree realizes there’s only one person she can turn her ex-best friend, a lawyer with whom she shares a very complicated past.
Fierce, smart, and thrilling to the end, Missing White Woman not only explores “Missing White Woman” syndrome and traveling while Black, but deftly inverts the hallmarks of the domestic suspense genre to How well can we truly know the people we love? And what happens to these stories when seen through the eyes of a Black woman?
Book Review
Diving into the pages of “Missing White Woman” by Kellye Garrett, I found myself immersed in a tale that straddles the line between cozy mystery and suspense thriller, offering readers a unique perspective on crime, race, and social dynamics.
As someone well-versed in mystery novels, I couldn’t help but notice the cozy undertones woven throughout the narrative. However, what sets this book apart is its exploration of race and identity, as seen through the eyes of its African-American protagonist, Breanna. Her experiences navigating a predominantly white and affluent neighborhood add depth to the story, highlighting the complexities of race relations in modern society.
One aspect I appreciated was the seamless integration of social media’s influence on public perception and collective consciousness. Garrett deftly explores how the spread of news and information via digital platforms can shape narratives and impact real-world outcomes, adding a layer of relevance to the storyline.
Yet, despite its intriguing premise, I found myself struggling to fully connect with the characters, particularly Breanna and her boyfriend, Ty. Their relationship lacked depth, leaving me questioning the authenticity of their connection amidst the unfolding mystery.
Nevertheless, “Missing White Woman” offers a compelling exploration of crime, podcast culture, and cold case conspiracies that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the genre. Moreover, Garrett’s narrative serves as a poignant commentary on the systemic biases and prejudices faced by minorities in society, shedding light on the oppressive scrutiny they endure on a daily basis.
Overall, while the pacing may be slow at times, and the character development lacking, “Missing White Woman” remains an intriguing read for those interested in unraveling the complexities of race, identity, and crime in contemporary society.
This was my second read my Kellye Garrett. I enjoy her writing style and this book does draw on important social prejudices that black women and men encounter everyday.
Will I read more from her? Yes.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
While you’re still here can I ask that you consider donating to a family in need in Gaza via Operation Olive Branch?
Operation Olive Branch is a volunteer-powered grassroots collective effort to connect with and amplify Palestinian voices in an effort to support their critical needs, which include but are not limited to their mutual aid requests. Our solidarity initiative is steered by a diverse core council of global advocates including Palestinian and Jewish voices.
We strive to verify the fundraising efforts of families, as well as our medical partners, to best support them to navigate the challenges of social media and fundraising.
Please find a list of our “verified” families and medical aid partners here: Verified Families & Mutual Aid
The OOB Perinatal Project has set up a fundraiser to deliver direct monetary support to the project’s partners. Whilst these organizations and individuals may have their own fundraising projects set up, they do not always see compensation or receive enough funds to meet the needs of the families on the ground. It is vital we ensure the Project’s partners have adequate funds to continue their work.
In order to provide ongoing transparency regarding monetary allocations, OOB will provide regular updates on this campaign.
That’s it for now.
Until the next post,
Gia,
G. Jacks Writes (About Everything) 
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