Review: A Girl Named Anna by Lizzy Barber

Title: A Girl Named Anna

Author: Lizzy Barber

Published: September 2019, Mira Books

Format: ARC Paperback, 329 pages

Source: Publisher

Summary: 

A compulsive suspense
debut for fans of Megan Miranda, Wendy Walker and Kimberly Belle, about
two teens–one sheltered by her strict and reclusive mamma, one living
in the shadow of the missing sister who was snatched from a theme park
as a toddler–and their search for the truth about their families and
each other.

If your whole life is a lie, who can you trust?

Raised
in a quiet rural community, Anna has always been taught that her
Mamma’s rules are the only path to follow. But, on her eighteenth
birthday, she defies her Mamma for the first time in her life, and goes
to Astroland. She’s never been allowed to visit Florida’s biggest theme
park, so why, when she arrives, does everything about it seem so
familiar? And is there a connection to the mysterious letter she
receives that same day—a letter addressing her by a different name?

Rosie
has grown up in the shadow of the missing sister she barely remembers,
her family fractured by years of searching without leads. Now, on the
fifteenth anniversary of her sister’s disappearance, the media circus
resumes as the funds dedicated to the search dry up, and Rosie vows to
uncover the truth herself. But can she find the answer before it tears
her family apart?

Winner of the Daily Mail First Novel
Competition, A Girl Named Anna is a psychologically riveting read that
introduces Lizzy Barber as an outstanding new voice in suspense fiction.

My thoughts: I am always surprised when I come across a debut novel that reads like anything but a debut and that is exactly what we have here. And even more exciting is that it is part psychological suspense and part family drama, which really keeps you engaged. 

I loved the way this story is told, alternating between the two points of view. There are many themes running through this book and while I had some inkling as to where it was heading, I was still surprised as to how it all turned out. I will say that this is definitely a slow-burning type of read that picks up speed as the book moves forward.

I enjoyed getting to know each girl as the book takes its time setting things up. As it involves a missing child, it does get a bit emotional at times, and I think it plays that angle quite well. It’s quite a powerful read and will have you wondering how you would deal with that on each side. We see the aftermath of the abduction as the story is picked up fifteen years after the incident.

I am always on the hunt for new authors to read and have definitely added a new one to my list…Lizzy Barber has proven to be an author to keep an eye on for sure and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!