53 pages • 1 hour read
April HenryA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
In The Night She Disappeared by April Henry, high-school senior Kayla Cutler is kidnapped while making a pizza delivery, and her coworker Gabie Klug realizes she was the intended target. As Gabie races to uncover the truth and find Kayla, the story explores themes of class-based prejudice, the fallibility of authority figures, and the experiences of teenage girls navigating a world where they are often viewed as powerless. The narrative shifts perspectives and includes stylized inserts like newspaper clippings and evidence reports. The source material discusses substance use and addiction, mental health, and death by suicide.
April Henry’s The Night She Disappeared draws readers into a suspenseful mystery with well-developed characters and a gripping plot. The pace keeps readers engaged, though some feel the conclusion is somewhat predictable. It is a compelling read for young adults who enjoy thrillers, despite occasional narrative shortcomings.
Ideal for fans of suspenseful young adult thrillers like Karen M. McManus’s One of Us Is Lying and Natasha Preston’s The Cellar, The Night She Disappeared by April Henry captivates readers who enjoy heart-pounding mysteries, unexpected twists, and strong, resourceful teenage protagonists.
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Society: Class
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger