All the Missing Girls book club discussion (all can join!)

[ufcasey]

Today is the day for our third book club discussion! The book picked for this month was "All the Missing Girls" by Megan Miranda.

So, what were your thoughts on the book? Below are some questions just to help get you thinking if you have a hard time figuring out what you want to say. You definitely don't have to answer any of them!


Things to potentially consider:
- How did you like the reverse chronological storytelling?
- Did the false flags bother you, like when Daniel tells Nic to get out after she says Tyler was with her?
- Why do you think they all lied about what happened the night of Corinne's death?
- Do you think Daniel had an affair?
- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up?
- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett?
- Why did Daniel punch Nic?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!!


Tagging people who have said in previous posts that they have read the book or are reading it:
rachelgreen , anglashly , cole , brewco , aurora , travella , spedrunner , CheeringCharm , mrspez07 , Vespasia , doxies , rainbowchip , monkeyfeet , litskispeciality , jojoandleo , jr009j , charlatti , RoxMonster, robyn, fiddles, ksun,

[pandora89]

Ah I haven't finished yet, but hoping to finish by tonight so will read this thread/respond tonight or tomorrow.

[frlcb]

- How did you like the reverse chronological storytelling? It bugged me at first, but I see why she did it, so in the end I was okay with it
- Did the false flags bother you, like when Daniel tells Nic to get out after she says Tyler was with her? I forgot about that part, so no. But why did he do it?
- Why do you think they all lied about what happened the night of Corinne's death? I think they were teenagers who were afraid, I think Tyler loved Nic so much that he didn't want her life ruined
- Do you think Daniel had an affair? Yes
- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up? Her family life
- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett? I think it was clear she never stopped loving Tyler, so Tyler
- Why did Daniel punch Nic? I still have no idea why. That part was so weird to me.

Extra question: Do you think Laura is the one who killed Annaleise? I do, but my friend said she felt unsure. Also, maybe I missed this part, but do you think it was clear that Nic's dad buried Corinne? 

[CheeringCharm]

I really enjoyed this book! It had me hooked from the get go and I think I read it in like two days on vacation, lol. It was the perfect beach/pool read. I found the mystery itself intriguing - can an 18 year old really disappear without a trace? - and the pacing tight and suspenseful. But what really intrigued me was the structure - the fact that the author is able to tell the story backwards and still keep you guessing. She executes this flawlessly imo. Although I was definitely engrossed in the mystery while I was reading and trying to figure how what happened and why, there was another part of me that was continually marveling over the mechanics of how Miranda set up a mystery told in reverse. Every time she dropped a new clue, I'd go back and quickly scan the last chapter or two in light of this new information. I thought that was fun.

I  thought she did a good job with the false flags. IMO she displays a keen awareness of what details to hold back on in order to set up some fun twists for the reader while still dropping enough hints to move the story forward in an honest way. I never felt like I was being jerked around like I have with some other mystery writers. I have a feeling that a narrative structure like this could easily become confusing or too repetitive and tedious in less steady hands but she pulls it off - every detail clicks right into place and adds to the growing tension until it all comes together and you get the relief of the final payoff.

I also thought she did a really good job of evoking an eerie, menacing feeling for the reader. When Nic starts to lose it about halfway through and fears being alone in the house and the woods, I definitely felt creeped out too. And the part where she realizes that the information she seeks is in her own house - in the walls and even under the floorboards....eek! Deliciously chilling. It was a fun read for me. 5/5 stars.


To answer some of the other questions:

I did think Daniel had an affair, I got the sense that Corinne was a narcissist who needs attention like other people need oxygen, and Daniel punched Nic because she scared him on the Ferris wheel. Sort of like a parent might spank a child after running out into the street and narrowly avoiding being hit by a car. I was rooting for Tyler. Everett was sort of a cardboard cutout of the "perfect" boyfriend but not someone who really understood Nic or what made her tick like Tyler did.

Thinking it over now, the only weakness with the book is that they lied about how Corinne died. On the one hand, they were scared teenagers and scared teenagers made dumb decisions, so that part is sort of believable. But why would Nic's father go along with it? It was obviously an accident. Tyler was a witness. Nic might have been charged and convicted of vehicular manslaughter but you don't usually go to jail for long periods for that as a first offender do you? And presumably even if she did go to prison, she'd get our pretty quickly with good behavior. It would certainly be a traumatic experience and a major hurdle to overcome but not the kind of thing that "ruins" your life forever such that it is worth lying about it imo.

[rainbowchip]

- How did you like the reverse chronological storytelling? Personally I was nota fan of it. I think it was done well but my brain just doesn't do well with non-chronological.
- Did the false flags bother you, like when Daniel tells Nic to get out after she says Tyler was with her? A little. They added to my confusion of what was going on and all the whys I had.
- Why do you think they all lied about what happened the night of Corinne's death? Because Tyler was an idiot 18 year old.
- Do you think Daniel had an affair? Yes. Anneliese calling his housr wouldn't make sense otherwise.
- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up? I'm really confused about her home life. Was her father abusive to her?
- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett? This one surprised me. I normally don't root for the HS love to succeed but in this case I think Tyler really loved her and she loved him.
- Why did Daniel punch Nic? I DON'T KNOW!!!! SOMEBODY TELL ME!

[CheeringCharm]

Mar 22, 2017 10:28:06 GMT -5 rainbowchip said:

- How did you like the reverse chronological storytelling? Personally I was nota fan of it. I think it was done well but my brain just doesn't do well with non-chronological.
- Did the false flags bother you, like when Daniel tells Nic to get out after she says Tyler was with her? A little. They added to my confusion of what was going on and all the whys I had.
- Why do you think they all lied about what happened the night of Corinne's death? Because Tyler was an idiot 18 year old.
- Do you think Daniel had an affair? Yes. Anneliese calling his housr wouldn't make sense otherwise.
- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up? I'm really confused about her home life. Was her father abusive to her?
- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett? This one surprised me. I normally don't root for the HS love to succeed but in this case I think Tyler really loved her and she loved him.
- Why did Daniel punch Nic? I DON'T KNOW!!!! SOMEBODY TELL ME!

I forgot about this part. Yes, I definitely got the impression that he was and that was partly why she spent so much time at Nic's house.

[ufcasey]

So I really was super impressed by Miranda's ability to tell the story in reverse while still keeping the suspense by withholding just enough information without making it too confusing. The idea of "foreshadowing" being really "postshadowing" in this case was pretty cool. She even put flashbacks to high-school through out on top of all that.

But I think if you took the story and put it in chronological order, it wouldn't really be too interesting honestly. And I don't mean just because you would immediately know what happened to Corinne and would know about the black mail. I mean, the idea of all of them lying only because Jack didn't want anyone to know he left her alone out by the caves and because Tyler thought the police wouldn't believe that Corinne really did step into the path of the car on purpose, and the idea that a young teenage girl would blackmail Nic's father - it's just weird. The explanation of why Laura killed Annaleise was also a bit of a stretch. She killed her because she had an affair with her husband when she is pregnant? And Tyler got to her body out in the farm field before the police did but not enough time to do anything? What was he going to do anyways - it was already reported the police were on their way and someone would have seen him putting a body in his truck I would imagine. And why would he try to hide it anyways, he didn't kill her, right? The motivations just didn't add up to me.

So I have a very high appreciation for how the story was told - technically speaking it was very very memorable. But the plot itself, once you boil it down to what actually happened in the correct order - eh. Kind of average in my opinion.

[ufcasey]

From what I recall, Anneliese called Daniel's house to talk to Laura because she had just ran away from Nic/Tyler/Daniel and still wanted her blackmail money. That's how Anneliese and Laura met up and how Anneliese was murdered by Laura supposedly. So the phone call alone isn't necessarily an indication that they were having an affair (ignoring the fact about how else would she know the house phone number in the first place). But Daniel having Anneliese's key seems like a pretty good indication that they were involved, unless he found it somehow when he was chasing her out in the woods and he just never mentioned it?

Corinne's father pushed her down the stairs or something - I just remember that she had to go to the hospital twice for injuries and she lied about it and then she would show up at Nic's house saying they had plans when really they didn't, Corinne was just avoiding her own house. Not that Nic realized all that at the time, it was more of a hindsight is 20/20 kind of thing I think.

I thought the idea of Daniel punching Nic just because she did a stupid dangerous thing on the ferris wheel was also stupid and not particularly logical. Most people would yell, maybe push someone. But punch them? And then he was only contrite when Tyler told him Nic was pregnant. Gee, thanks a-hole, glad that was what made you realize that you shouldn't have, I don't know, punched a girl in the face in the first place regardless of the status of her uterus? Just saying.

[monkeyfeet]

I really liked the book!

I read here that it was told in reverse order. I think it might have taken me a while to figure that out if I hadn't read it here first as I rarely pay attention to Chapter titles. It makes me wonder if this will become a thing, like how some historical fiction have 2 story tellers, one from each time period.

I agree that Daniel punching Nic was extreme, but I can't figure out why Daniel opposed Nic and Tyler together so much. Did Tyler know Corinne was buried beneath the house? I'm not sure if that was made clear or I missed it. I obviously was a huge fan of Tyler!

Corrine was quiet a character!! I think that was an interesting spin. I agree it was due to her family life, but think there have even been more to it. As the other friend who Nic ran into at the fair was mentioned to be beautiful, but that Corinne would always be the big cheese in town. Seems like she liked to manipulate people. I think beckysharp put it best.

I don't know if Laura is realistic, but I loved that she was the killer and how it was foreshadowed by Daniel telling Nic not to underestimate her. It's always the quiet ones! I think she was defending her future, that if Annaliese told what happened to Corinne that she feared she would lose Daniel, the father to her child...

It hasn't been mentioned yet, but I thought it was interesting that Nic was so desperate to figure out what happened to Annaliese because the investigation would turn not to where is she, but who did it. Do you think this is true with most missing person cases? I think it's probably pretty accurate, but not sure I would have thought of that before.

[ksun]

It took me a while to get into the reverse storytelling. Once I did, I really liked it. Props to her for being able to do that.


- Why do you think they all lied about what happened the night of Corinne's death? I think they were all just scared teenagers

- Do you think Daniel had an affair? No, I think Annaliese was just after money and trying to blackmail him as well

- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up? She was looking for love and acceptance since she didn't have it from her father.

- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett? Tyler. He just seemed like the good guy, regardless of any false flags

- Why did Daniel punch Nic? I think he was just pissed about the ferris wheel, but that was pretty extreme, and it was dwelled on a bit too much for me.

[brewco]

I really liked this book- I thought the reverse chronological storytelling was done really well. I agree with the above posters who said they liked about the night of Corinne's death because they were scared teenagers. I still can't make up my mind if Daniel had an affair- I lean towards yes but I could be swayed the other way about that too. I think Corinne was desperate for love and acceptance because her dad was abusive and she did not have that at home. I also think she was a master manipulator. I also agree with others that Daniel punched Nic because he was upset that she was being reckless and dangerous on the ferris wheel- I do wish this would have been tied up a little better. I felt it was a big part of the story and it wasn't well explained for that extreme of a reaction to her climbing over the side of the ferris wheel car.

I didn't really care for the Everett story line. I don't think he really added much to the story, except the relationship tension once Tyler was introduced. I guess I feel like the 'rich, perfect, hottest boyfriend/fiance ever' thing has been done so many times. I always felt like he didn't fit into this story.

[spedrunner]

- How did you like the reverse chronological storytelling?

Initially, I hated it. I just did NOT see how it could work! However, I ended up really enjoying it, kept me on the edge of my "seat" and I also felt it was different and creative

- Did the false flags bother you, like when Daniel tells Nic to get out after she says Tyler was with her?

Yes, I found myself a bit annoyed and second guessing myself quite often!

- Do you think Daniel had an affair?

Yes!

- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up?

great question. Did not really think about it, I would think it had something to do with childhood, but I don't recall if they mentioned anything in the book

- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett?

everett!  tyler creeped me out a bit

[Vespasia]

I thought this book was really annoying BUT I have to admit that I was totally sucked in and read it quickly. The reverse storytelling was sort of interesting but the whole thing just screamed trying too hard. 

I really didn't like any of the characters. They were both flat and unlikable. I think some of that came from the reverse storytelling. The other friend, whose name I can't even remember, had such a weird role. She was a huge part of their history but her part in the current times seemed like an afterthought. I did like that Laura killed Annelise, it made her a bit more interesting. 

I never really understood why they thought the dad had killed Corinne (besides his current day comments)? What the heck motive would he have had? Just that he was a drunk? 

The whole she cheated on her completely blameless fiance but it's ok because it's her childhood sweetheart and they were meant to be together thing irritated me too. Then she gets pregnant instantly so everything comes full circle and now she gets to live happily ever after with Tyler? Blech. 

I think half of this is just because I am burned out on "OMG shocking twist" books. It's the new hot genre and few of them are really living up to expectations. 

[travella]

Things to potentially consider:
- How did you like the reverse chronological storytelling?

I loved it. It was like an irresistible puzzle. Every time I discuss this book with someone I realize that I still don't have all the pieces together correctly. It is frustrating, but I love it. I am not one to reread books but I might just reread this one because I hate leaving with questions and I am certain I will have new revelations if read it again.

- Why do you think they all lied about what happened the night of Corinne's death?

Tyler loved Nic and didn't want for her life to be ruined due to the accident. Her dad covered it up for the same reason. I think her father figured it was his duty to step up and protect her as repayment for being such a bad parent. Plus, he was drunk at the time so he wasn't thinking correctly. Am I remembering correctly, that Nic's father also didn't like Corinne's influence on Nic?

- Do you think Daniel had an affair?

He could of. When I first read the book I didn't think so. I thought that the key was initially found in her father's slipper (therefore had something to do with the blackmail). However, I later discovered that I was tricked by the backwards storytelling because it was initially found at Daniel's house and Nic put it into her father's slipper to hide it. After discussing this a bit a few weeks ago here, I did think it was like Annelise to blackmail Daniel's father for the photos and then start an affair with Daniel giving him a set of keys with the photos that she was blackmailing his father for on it. Therefore, they had the photos in their possession the entire time....

- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up?

It could have been from her upbringing. She seemed to crave controlling people and loved seeing how far she could push them to do as she pleased.

- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett?

I wasn't really rooting for either. Nic seemed to revert back to her teenage self with Tyler so I couldn't root for Tyler. I liked the idea of Everett, but didn't really feel a good relationship there either. I was kind of hoping that she would leave town and start over again.

- Why did Daniel punch Nic?

Because of her stupid act on the ferris wheel. Plus, it made for a good red herring in the book.

Do you think Laura is the one who killed Annaleise? Yes, I think she did. Annaleise called her house at the hotel. I think Annaleise loved toying with people so I am guess that she said something that jeopardized Laura's family. Laura was protecting her family, just as everyone else did years before with Corrine - protecting their family/loved ones.

[mrspez07]

My comments before reading other responses:

I enjoyed it and on part liked how the reverse chronology made me think and guess and analyze. On the other hand it was a bit distracting and the end was almost anticlimactic.
I think Corinne wI enjoyed it and on part liked how the reverse chronology made me think and guess and analyze. On the other hand it was a bit distracting and the end was almost anticlimactic.
I was tempted to go back and read it to see what I might have missed in the reverse story, it definitely bends your mind in a new way and doesn't follow the typical suspense/mystery formula.

I think Corinne was so bold and not risk-adverse because of the way she was treated at home, it was her way of being noticed and she was so desperate to be loved but didn't know the right way to show it. I'm not so sure that Nic wasn't also a bit messed up (whether it was from the investigation/death of her friend or something else), it seems her other friend and even other people she encounters when she's back seem to indicate they don't like her because of their history (old friend) or because of the way she comes across (the assisted living director).

I was rooting for her to stay with Everett, but I always root for the way the story starts (the original life) if it is something good. I do it in movies too.

[ufcasey]

There is one petty thing I forgot to mention: the repetitive "Tick Tock" thing annoyed me because it never went anywhere! I thought it was going to tie into something specific eventually, but instead it seems it was maybe just some silly device for creating suspense I guess? Unless I missed something? But it annoyed me either way.

[krystee]

I think I might be the only one who didn't really like it so far, and I am usually really easy to please! I didn't really care about any of the characters and I was ready to put it down and start skimming to the end by page 200. It got better as the pace picked up at the end, and I admire her ability to keep things straight in reverse order, but it was just not a compelling read for me.

[Vespasia]

Mar 22, 2017 21:06:56 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

There is one petty thing I forgot to mention: the repetitive "Tick Tock" thing annoyed me because it never went anywhere! I thought it was going to tie into something specific eventually, but instead it seems it was maybe just some silly device for creating suspense I guess? Unless I missed something? But it annoyed me either way.

I think it's what Corrine was saying to Nic while they were waiting for the pregnancy test results.

[ufcasey]

Mar 22, 2017 21:10:38 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

Mar 22, 2017 21:06:56 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

There is one petty thing I forgot to mention: the repetitive "Tick Tock" thing annoyed me because it never went anywhere! I thought it was going to tie into something specific eventually, but instead it seems it was maybe just some silly device for creating suspense I guess? Unless I missed something? But it annoyed me either way.

I think it's what Corrine was saying to Nic while they were waiting for the pregnancy test results.

Oh I think you're right! Still. How did that have anything to do with all the other times it gets said in her head? I still don't get it.

[ufcasey]

Another thing I completely forgot to mention that actually made me a little mad, this quote (took me a second to find it on the internet because I actually listened to the audiobook for this):

"It happens like this - men losing themselves in moments of passion. We drive them to it. It's not their fault."

It's not said in a moment of violence or anything, it's said when Nic is in Tyler's apartment and they are verbally arguing slightly. But still, it made me do a double take. Because, say what?

[Vespasia]

I don't really get how Annalise was their alibi. Yes, she saw them all together after the ferris wheel but with no body and time of death that hardly let any of them off the hook.

[rachelgreen]

Mar 22, 2017 21:12:34 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

Mar 22, 2017 21:10:38 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

I think it's what Corrine was saying to Nic while they were waiting for the pregnancy test results.

Oh I think you're right! Still. How did that have anything to do with all the other times it gets said in her head? I still don't get it.

It could be just a play on things. Like how when you know you know something and just can't place it and you keep repeating it over and over again to yourself, hoping it will click. More subconscious than anything.

I'm so freaking exhausted I have no idea if ^ makes any sense. Lol.

[ufcasey]

Mar 22, 2017 21:19:02 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

I don't really get how Annalise was their alibi. Yes, she saw them all together after the ferris wheel but with no body and time of death that hardly let any of them off the hook.

Very true - if the last time Annalise saw all of them was at the fair when Corinne was clearly still alive, that isn't an alibi for them. And it's not like she was purposely covering for any of them at the time for blackmailing purposes because when she talked to Nic she said she didn't discover the photos she had taken until years later and when she also had the software to help clarify the images. It just doesn't make sense.

[leeba25]

(I am not listening, I am not listening to you, la la la la la)

Just responding to let y'all know that I'm about 60% of the way through, and I will join the talk once I've finished. I just finished reading "All the ugly and wonderful things" a week ago, lol, so I actually want to make one of these discussions at least somewhat on time.

[cole]

Loved the reverse chronology of the book.

Everett = snoooooze

I think Tyler hit her because 1. He was upset and didn't control his emotions, and 2. Red herring like travella said

I disagree with CheeringCharm that a vehicular manslaughter conviction isn't the kind of thing that ruins your life, I think it would absolutely set someone down a different path and could see lying about it. Especially regarding a person who at the top of the ferris wheel told her to kill herself.

[pandora89]

Things to potentially consider:
- How did you like the reverse chronological storytelling? I confused me, I get why it was written that way but I had such a hard time keeping track of what was happening and what was the past and what wasn't.
- Did the false flags bother you, like when Daniel tells Nic to get out after she says Tyler was with her? I didn't pick up on that one but yes!
- Why do you think they all lied about what happened the night of Corinne's death? I agree with everyone else just thinking they were all dumb teenagers
- Do you think Daniel had an affair? Yes, I do think so. The deleting photos from her laptop was what had me thinking this
- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up? Liked the attention, was a master manipulating and a mix of her family problems
- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett? Everett
- Why did Daniel punch Nic? I thought this was so weird and did not get this


I thought this book was going to be so much better than it was, I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it.

[Vespasia]

Re Daniel punching Nic, they'd already lost their mother, their father was practically lost to them because of his alcoholism, and here she was risking her life hanging off a damn ferris wheel like an idiot. I think he was pissed/terrified he was going to lose her too.

[doxies]

I was trying to remember why I didn't love this book while scrolling through this discussion, but Vespasia said everything that I remember thinking while reading it.  

I also didn't love Tyler and was bummed that Everett ended up an afterthought.

[aurora]

Sorry I'm late for the discussion! Before reading others' thoughts, here are my responses to the OP:

Things to potentially consider:
- How did you like the reverse chronological storytelling?
I actually liked it because it made me think and was a different twist compared to the usual.

- Did the false flags bother you, like when Daniel tells Nic to get out after she says Tyler was with her?
They didn't bother me; I figured you can't take everything at face value in a mystery-type book.

- Why do you think they all lied about what happened the night of Corinne's death?
They were kids and they were scared. Scared kids don't think rationally.

- Do you think Daniel had an affair?
I wasn't sure about this, but I think it's more likely than not. Will be curious to read others' answers.

- Why do you think Corinne was so twisted up?
It sounded like her Dad was toxic, if not abusive. Right?

- Who were you rooting for, Tyler or Everett?
Nic. Both Tyler and Everett bugged me for a while, but I liked Tyler best at the end.

- Why did Daniel punch Nic?
He was pissed that she was being such a daredevil.

Disclaimer: I finished the book weeks ago so I've already forgotten a bunch. I did like it, but it wasn't my best read of the year or anything like that.

[aurora]

Mar 22, 2017 9:47:46 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

...
Tagging people who have said in previous posts that they have read the book or are reading it:
rachelgreen , anglashly , cole , brewco , aurora , travella , spedrunner , CheeringCharm , mrspez07 , Vespasia , doxies , rainbowchip , monkeyfeet , litskispeciality , jojoandleo , jr009j , charlatti , RoxMonster , robyn , fiddles , ksun ,

I am really impressed you kept a list. What an organizer!