Long Lost

Cassie lives in Virginia in 1976 and sees a photo of herself on a missing child's flyer at her local supermarket. The discovery sends her searching for answers about her own uncertain past and that of another girl who went missing years ago. Her investigation leads down paths she never expected, uncovering long-held town secrets and making her question everything she thought she knew about her family. Cassie must navigate complex relationships and deep-rooted mysteries as she works to uncover the truth. The dual mysteries of Cassie's identity and the fate of the missing girl intertwine through flashbacks and revelations that span multiple decades in a small Virginia town. The story shifts between past and present timelines as new evidence and connections emerge. Long Lost explores themes of identity, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are. The novel examines how family secrets can ripple through generations and how the search for truth can fundamentally alter one's sense of self.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Sara Collins's overall work: Readers praise Collins' rich historical detail and atmospheric writing in "The Confessions of Frannie Langton." Many reviews highlight her treatment of race, class, and power dynamics in Georgian London. Readers on Goodreads note the strength of Frannie's voice and the book's gothic elements. Positive reviews focus on: - Complex character development - Historical accuracy - Integration of social commentary - Original take on gothic romance genre Common criticisms include: - Pacing issues in the middle section - Dense prose that requires careful reading - Some plot threads left unresolved - Graphic content that made some readers uncomfortable Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (41,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (3,800+ ratings) Book Depository: 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) One reader noted: "Collins writes with the precision of her legal background but the soul of a novelist." Another commented: "The courtroom scenes feel authentic and tense, clearly drawing from her experience as a lawyer."

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🌟 Sara Collins worked as a lawyer for seventeen years before pursuing her dream of becoming a writer 📚 The novel explores themes of Gothic horror while addressing racial and feminist issues in Victorian London 🏆 Collins won the 2019 Costa First Novel Award for her debut novel "The Confessions of Frannie Langton" 🎭 The story's main character, Jane Fairchild, is a Black actress in 1880s London - a time when opportunities for Black performers were extremely limited 📖 The book draws inspiration from classic Gothic literature like "Jane Eyre" while subverting traditional genre tropes through its exploration of race and power dynamics