Still Missing by Beth Gutcheon

[Jupe01]

I have just finished Still Missing and thought it was a wonderful book. Not terribly happy subject matter though, it is based on the Etan Patz case (1979) and was published in 1981.

The book is based on the psychological unravelling of a mother (Susan Selky) after she discovers that her six-year old son has gone missing, and that he did not actually arrive at the school after she waved him off. The initial investigation is gripping, and your heart goes out to Susan as she reviews the quality of her relationships with friends and family when they cannot cope with her determined belief (hope) that her son is still alive.

Certainly worth a read - but, be warned .. it made me cry several times!

Sounds really good. I am just looking for a new book so I'll give this a go! Thanks.

Loved this book - I read it recently and was shocked to discover the link about Etan Patz last week, had not realised it was based on a true story.
It's so gripping and beautifully written, I wish I hadn't read it so I could read it all over again.
Any more similar recommendations?

I've also read it recently. I kept thinkign of Madeleine McCann whilst I was reading it, as that's the most recent high profile disappearance.

It was interesting to read a novel that pre-dates the internet and mobile phones.

I think it deserves a relaunch and wider audience again. Brilliant but very upsetting at times.

Like you, I also thought of the McCann case, particularly all the awful things that were said about Kate McCann in the weeks that followed Madeleine's disappearance. Poor, poor woman.

I don't know about similar recommendations really ... but the last really good book I read was Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist. Totally unlike anything I normally read, but really absorbing plot and very well written as you would expect from her.

The plot begins with a couple who struggle to deal with their different ways of coping after the death of their teenage son; they decide to separate. The story is mainly about the father, Macon, who has always found emotions difficult (sounds like a bloke!) and his journey. Sounds gloomy, but this book is actually quite humorous, and provides a wonderful insight into the mind of men (in my female opinion ha ha).

For completeness, I should add that the death of their son is not dwelt on, and does not form a major part of the book at all. Good stuff!

Thanks Jupe, I love Anne Tyler and have seen the film years ago so will give it a whirl.
I didn't mean book recommendations just about missing children, that would be creepy, it was a badly worded question by me! I suppose I meant similar in tone.

cant believe theres a thread about this book!!
I first read it when it was first published,and I tried for ages to find it again a few months ago.Finally found an original copy a few weeks ago on good old ebay and read it a couple of weeks ago!Great book...

I got my copy from the library, after I heard it recommended on a book review programme on the radio a few months ago. I think the library must have had to order it in specially for me as it was brand new and unread :o) They got their copy from here

I read this recently and some passages moved me to actual tears, which is rare for me as I'm hard faced

the ending was slightly Hollywood but a great read nonetheless

I recently attended a reading in NYC with Beth Gutcheon and someone asked about the Etan Patz case she explained that she started the book before the Patz abduction and that it's NOT a "based on a true story." She even had contact with the father of Etan and he wrote a letter to the NYTimes stating he held no grudge toward Gutchoen and the book. All said, we wish that the real life story had a similar ending as STILL MISSING.

Also, has anyone see the movie WITHOUT A TRACE based on the book? Very good movie, but the setting was moved to Boston, so it wasn't how I imagined it exactly.

I am not sure that I really believe her ... too many significant similarities notwithstanding your comment about the ending. (I had really tried to avoid talking about the ending for those that haven't read it yet!)

I tried to get a copy of the DVD, but amazon are selling it for £165 and I thought that it was just a tad too steep, however good the film might be.