This book is only available in a digital format.
The Lost Girls by J.M. Canon, also known as The Flash Girls, comes in a few editions. I personally read it as in eBook, and did note that there were some layout issues with the version I read to review. It’s likely that these issues have been fixed in the official version, but there were sometimes distracting from the story. Regardless, this was a solid thriller.
The story follows Anna, a reporter with a rough upbringing, whose best friend Sylvie went missing years ago. Anna has spent her life trying to get justice for Sylvie, and to find her, alongside the other “Flash Girls.” Despite the evidence of three girls disappearing after being stalked, and seeing the flash of a camera before they went missing, no one else believes there is a serial killer among them. Anna was the only one to coin and use the term “Flash Girls”.
Lonely and currently friendless, Anna has built her whole life around what happened to Sylvie. She chose her job because of it, stays in her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, because of it, and has molded her personality around it. So when a body is found that just might be her missing friend, a ticking clock starts in her head. Though this is partially due to her obsession, it is also because there is a huge storm coming – and the news outlet she works for reports on it every day.
The storm provides a constant sense of urgency to Anna’s quest. Given the severity predicted, it’s very likely that the storm’s path will destroy evidence forever, including flooding the morgue holding the body. That doesn’t even include the other two victims that have yet to be found, who may very well simply be washed away themselves. The storm is threatening to be so all consuming that the police are putting the case on hold – even when the state of the body that has been found is horrific on its own.
This was a fast read with dark elements. It was certainly scary, too, given being stalked and taken is such a very common and real fear for women. For fans of thrillers in general, this is a solid one. Anna is not always a likeable character, to be certain, but she is interesting and she keeps the story going. Give it a try if you’re looking for a scare. — Margaret Agnew