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Introduction: Then She Was Gone Summary & Analysis by Lisa Jewell

Through shifting timelines and multiple perspectives, Jewell weaves a suspenseful tale of loss, deception, and the unbreakable bonds of family. This Then She Was Gone Summary provides a detailed summary, character breakdown, thematic analysis, and narrative insights to enhance your understanding of this gripping novel.

About the Author: Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell is a bestselling British author known for her gripping psychological thrillers and contemporary fiction. With over 20 novels to her name, she has become one of the most prominent voices in modern suspense fiction, captivating readers with her complex characters, intricate plots, and emotional depth.

Quick Facts About Lisa Jewell

Born: July 19, 1968, in London, England
Genres: Psychological thriller, domestic suspense, contemporary fiction
Notable Works: Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, The Night She Disappeared
Awards: Sunday Times Top 10 bestselling author, New York Times bestseller
Residence: Lives in North London with her husband and two daughters

Writing Career & Rise to Fame

Early Career (1990s–2000s)

Jewell began her career in fashion PR before turning to writing. Her debut novel, Ralph’s Party (1999), became the UK’s bestselling debut that year, establishing her as a rising star in romantic comedy and women’s fiction.

Shift to Psychological Suspense (2010s–Present)

Over time, Jewell transitioned into darker, twist-driven thrillers, blending domestic drama with chilling suspense. Some of her most acclaimed works include:

Then She Was Gone (2017) – A haunting tale of a mother uncovering the truth about her missing daughter.
The Family Upstairs (2019) – A Gothic-tinged mystery about a sinister inheritance.
The Night She Disappeared (2021) – A gripping missing-person thriller set in the English countryside.

Her books are known for:
✔ Unreliable narrators
✔ Dual timelines
✔ Shocking twists
✔ Explorations of family secrets

Then She Was Gone Summary & Plot Summary

Lisa Jewell’s Then She Was Gone is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that delves into the devastating aftermath of a child’s disappearance. The novel follows Laurel Mack, a mother consumed by grief after her fifteen-year-old daughter, Ellie, vanishes without a trace. Ten years later, Laurel’s life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Floyd Dunn and his eerily familiar daughter, Poppy, leading her to uncover horrifying truths about Ellie’s fate.

Non-Spoiler Overview

Ten years after Ellie Mack’s disappearance, her mother, Laurel, remains haunted by unanswered questions. When she meets Floyd Dunn, a charming single father, she’s drawn into his life—especially by his young daughter, Poppy, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Ellie. As Laurel grows closer to them, unsettling clues emerge, forcing her to confront the possibility that Ellie’s fate is tied to Floyd’s family in ways she never imagined.

Spoiler-Filled Summary

The story unfolds through dual timelines:

“Then” (Ellie’s Story): Ellie, a bright teenager, is lured by her manipulative math tutor, Noelle Donnelly, who drugs and imprisons her in a basement. Noelle forces Ellie to bear a child (Poppy) before leaving her to die.
“Now” (Laurel’s Story): Laurel, still grieving, meets Floyd and Poppy. She soon discovers Noelle was Poppy’s mother and that Floyd knew about Ellie’s case before they met. In a shocking twist, Floyd confesses (via a video) that Noelle kidnapped Ellie, and he accidentally killed Noelle in a fit of rage.

The novel ends with Laurel raising Poppy, finally finding a semblance of peace despite the trauma.

Then She Was Gone Summary Chapter-by-Chapter

Part One:

Chapter 1: Laurel enters her daughter Hanna’s gloomy flat, sensing something is wrong, reminiscent of the fear she felt when Ellie went missing.
Chapter 2: Flashing back ten years, Laurel recalls the terrifying hours after Ellie’s disappearance and the emotional fallout that led to her estrangement from Paul.
Chapter 3 (THEN): Ellie demands a private tutor after a poor math grade, pushing her mother into a conflict.
Chapter 4: Ten years after Ellie’s disappearance, new developments arise when a detective contacts Laurel after an anniversary appeal yields no new leads.
Chapter 5 (THEN): Ellie’s new tutor, Noelle, is introduced, raising red flags with her unsettling questions and eccentric behavior.
Chapter 6: Laurel, now living a lonely life after Paul left, receives a call from the police with a disturbing update on the case.
Chapter 7 (THEN): Ellie becomes increasingly uncomfortable with Noelle’s probing personal questions, eventually convincing her mother to end the tutoring sessions.
Chapter 8: Laurel learns that Ellie’s bag has been found in Dover, with Hanna’s passport inside, signaling a possible run-away plot. The police announce they’ve found human remains.
Chapter 9 (THEN): Ellie and Theo discuss their future plans for adventure after exams, unaware of the tragedy that’s about to unfold.
Chapter 10: Laurel, haunted by the possibility that Ellie might have been involved in a burglary, begins her obsessive search for answers, growing more isolated from her family.
Chapter 11 (THEN): Ellie’s final tutoring session with Noelle ends abruptly. Noelle manipulates her into visiting her house, where she is last seen.
Chapter 12: Police confirm the remains are Ellie’s, but the investigation stalls, leaving Laurel feeling desolate until she meets Floyd a month later.

Part Two:

Chapter 13: Laurel meets Floyd and begins a new chapter in her life, cautiously drawn to his charm, while avoiding any mention of Ellie.
Chapter 14: Floyd and Laurel share an intimate date. Floyd hints at his own troubled past and an unusual connection to Poppy, his daughter.
Chapter 15: Laurel feels conflicted after a date with Floyd, discovering unsettling information about his past. She continues to visit her mother for comfort.
Chapter 16: Floyd and Laurel grow closer, but when they return to Floyd’s house, Laurel is disturbed by a resemblance between Floyd’s home and her past life. Floyd admits knowing about Ellie.
Chapter 17: Laurel notices eerie similarities between Poppy and Ellie, while uncovering secrets about Hanna’s life, and wonders if Poppy is linked to Ellie.
Chapter 18: Laurel reconciles with Paul and arranges a family dinner, suspecting something about Floyd and Poppy’s connection is amiss.
Chapter 19: Poppy’s visit to Laurel’s home raises further doubts about Floyd’s intentions, and Laurel grows uneasy with the complex dynamics at play.

Part Three:

Chapter 20: Laurel begins to sense the deeper emotional connection between Floyd and Poppy, and feels a growing sense of foreboding.
Chapter 21: Poppy’s unsettling comments about her mother, Noelle, deepen Laurel’s suspicions. Poppy’s resemblance to Ellie is undeniable.
Chapter 22: At a family dinner, Laurel starts to see the extent of Poppy’s connection to Ellie and Floyd, noticing the strange parallels.
Chapter 23: Laurel uncovers a letter from Noelle addressed to Floyd, which triggers memories of her daughter and reveals dark truths.
Chapter 24: Blue warns Laurel about Floyd’s dark aura, but Laurel dismisses it, even as Sara-Jade hints at disturbing truths about Noelle’s pregnancy and Ellie.
Chapter 25: Laurel discovers Noelle’s troubling past with Floyd and reflects on the disturbing revelations she’s piecing together about her daughter’s disappearance.
Chapter 26: Laurel confronts Sara-Jade about Noelle’s lies, realizing the depth of Noelle’s obsession with Ellie.

Part Four:

Chapter 27 (THEN): Noelle reveals her unhealthy obsession with Floyd and how it led to Ellie’s abduction, describing her twisted justification.
Chapter 28: Noelle narrates her pursuit of Floyd and their romantic relationship, eventually becoming fixated on Ellie, whom she saw as perfect.
Chapter 29: Noelle recounts her cruel treatment of Sara-Jade and how her obsession with Ellie intensified after she started tutoring her.
Chapter 30: Laurel finds disturbing clues at Noelle’s house, including a room with dead hamsters, triggering a flood of memories about Ellie’s disappearance.
Chapter 31: Laurel uncovers a hidden truth about Noelle’s intentions and her obsessive need to possess a child.
Chapter 32 (Noelle’s Narrative): Noelle reveals her false pregnancy to Floyd and manipulates him into believing she’s carrying his child.
Chapter 33: Noelle’s obsession deepens, and she begins planning her abduction of Ellie, believing she could replace her own failed relationship with Floyd.
Chapter 34 (THEN): Ellie is trapped in Noelle’s basement, drugged and locked away, slowly realizing she is in a dangerous situation.
Chapter 35: Laurel continues to piece together disturbing information about Noelle’s connection to Floyd and Poppy, realizing the depth of the deception.
Chapter 36 (THEN): Ellie struggles in captivity, questioning how she got into this nightmare, and begins to plot her escape.
Chapter 37 (THEN): As Ellie’s captivity drags on, Noelle manipulates her with promises of “treats” and taunts her with false stories about the outside world.

Part Five:

Chapter 38 (Noelle’s Narrative): Noelle describes her meticulous planning, and how her obsession with Ellie intensified as she trapped her in the basement.
Chapter 39 (THEN): Ellie’s captivity continues as Noelle attempts to maintain control, even as Ellie’s spirit weakens.
Chapter 40 (Noelle’s Narrative): Noelle admits she faked a pregnancy to keep Floyd’s attention, using Ellie’s pregnancy to manipulate him further.
Chapter 41 (THEN): Ellie’s physical condition worsens as Noelle’s cruelty becomes evident. Ellie is left with the realization that she might never escape.
Chapter 42 (Noelle’s Narrative): Noelle recounts the traumatic birth of Poppy and the manipulation of Floyd, using Ellie’s child to secure her place in his life.
Chapter 43 (Noelle’s Narrative): Noelle registers Poppy as her own, further isolating Ellie, who continues to suffer in captivity.
Chapter 44: Laurel faces the death of her mother Ruby, while continuing her search for answers about Ellie and Poppy.
Chapter 45 (Noelle’s Narrative): Noelle’s continued manipulation of Floyd and her use of Poppy in her twisted game is revealed as she distances herself from the truth.
Chapter 46: At Christmas, Laurel uncovers troubling signs that Floyd has been hiding dark secrets, raising questions about his true involvement with Noelle.
Chapter 47 (THEN): Ellie, weak and near death, hears Poppy cry from upstairs, realizing her time is running out.
Chapter 48 (Noelle’s Narrative): Noelle recalls the planning of Ellie’s disappearance, adding final touches to her twisted scheme to make Ellie’s death look like a runaway.
Chapter 49: Laurel comes to terms with Hanna’s relationship with Theo, and the realization that she was absent as a mother during the aftermath of Ellie’s disappearance.
Chapter 50: Laurel’s suspicions about Floyd grow as she discovers unsettling evidence of his previous knowledge of Ellie’s disappearance.
Chapter 51: Floyd tries to cover his tracks, explaining away the items that link him to Noelle and Ellie, but Laurel’s doubts remain.
Chapter 52 (Noelle’s Narrative): Floyd and Noelle’s confrontation leads to a devastating truth about Poppy’s parentage, which sends Noelle into a violent rage.
Chapter 53: Laurel discovers that Hanna and Theo are keeping secrets, while Laurel struggles with her strained relationship with her daughter.
Chapter 54: Laurel uncovers more about Floyd’s past and his connection to Poppy, leading to a final confrontation with the truth about Noelle.
Chapter 55: Laurel is shaken by Blue’s warnings about Floyd and begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Chapter 56: Laurel’s dread builds as Floyd’s lies and manipulations begin to unravel.
Chapter 57: On Christmas Eve, Laurel prepares to confront Floyd, unsure of what she will find.
Chapter 58 (Floyd’s Narrative): Floyd reflects on his love for Laurel and the guilt he carries, knowing he must come clean.
Chapter 59: Floyd delivers a heartbreaking confession to Laurel, admitting to his role in the deception surrounding Ellie’s disappearance.
Chapter 60 (Floyd’s Confession Video): Floyd’s shocking confession about his involvement in Ellie’s abduction and his failure to act is revealed.
Chapter 61 (Floyd’s Confession Video Continued): Floyd explains his actions, admitting to using Laurel’s vulnerability and keeping Poppy hidden.
Chapter 62 (Floyd’s Confession Video Continued): Floyd confesses to the murder of Noelle and asks for Laurel’s forgiveness.
Chapter 63: Laurel confronts the truth about Floyd and Poppy, realizing the full horror of what has transpired.
Chapter 64 (Floyd’s Narrative): Floyd’s last moments are filled with regret and self-loathing, culminating in his tragic death.
Chapter 65 (Epilogue): Eight months later, Laurel finds peace in her new life with Poppy, raising her as her own while keeping the darkest truths hidden. The novel ends with a poignant reflection on the cycle of trauma and healing.

Then She Was Gone Characters & Their Roles

Character	Role in the Story
Laurel Mack	Grieving mother searching for the truth about Ellie’s disappearance.
Ellie Mack	Laurel’s missing daughter, later revealed to have been held captive and killed.
Noelle Donnelly	The disturbed tutor who kidnaps Ellie and forces her to bear Poppy.
Floyd Dunn	Laurel’s love interest, who hides dark secrets about Poppy’s origins.
Poppy	Floyd’s daughter, later revealed to be Ellie’s biological child.
Hanna & Jake	Ellie’s siblings, who struggle with their own grief and family dynamics.

Themes Explored

1. Grief & Loss

Laurel’s unending sorrow and obsession with finding Ellie drive the narrative.
The different ways family members cope (Paul moves on, Hanna withdraws).

2. Deception & Hidden Truths

Noelle’s elaborate lies (fake pregnancy, staged disappearance).
Floyd’s manipulation of Laurel to keep Poppy in his life.

3. Motherhood & Family Bonds

Laurel’s maternal instincts resurface with Poppy.
Noelle’s twisted desire for a child leads to horrific acts.

4. Identity & Self-Perception

Floyd reinvents himself to fit into Laurel’s life.
Poppy’s struggle with her origins and true parentage.

Narrative Style & Structure

Dual Timelines: “Then” (Ellie’s captivity) vs. “Now” (Laurel’s investigation).
Multiple Perspectives: Laurel, Ellie, Noelle, and Floyd provide layered storytelling.
Slow-Burn Suspense: Clues are revealed gradually, building tension.

Final Thoughts

Then She Was Gone is a haunting exploration of loss, obsession, and redemption. Jewell’s expert pacing and deeply flawed characters make this a must-read for thriller fans.

Have you read Then She Was Gone? What did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!