Darci's Review 

Holly Jackson has created another thrilling page turner. The story of The Reappearance of Rachel Price recalls the disappearance of many unfortunate women across the globe. Bel Price is the daughter of Rachel Price, a woman who went missing 16 years ago when Bel was only 2 years old. Bel is now 18 and her whole life is consumed by thoughts of her missing mother, whether it be through her resemblance to Rachel, or her closeness to people from her mother’s past.

Bel and her father Charlie are short of money, so when a director wanting to shoot a documentary about Rachel’s disappearance overs a hefty sum to share the story, they cannot help but accept. But when Rachel Price suddenly reappears in the middle of filming, Bel begins to catch inconsistencies in her mother’s story. She becomes intent on uncovering the truth of her mother’s disappearance, but can she bear to know what she finds?

Exploring themes of family, trust, and perseverance, Jackson respectfully introduces a story of abuse to young adult readers, informed by her understanding of the processes and behaviours that occur in disappearance cases and their public trials. The novel skilfully builds tension about the difficulty of knowing who to trust, as Bel carefully evaluates those around her; even the people she has known her whole life.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price is a thought-provoking and engrossing read, full of unexpected, gripping twists and turns. A must read for any fans of young adult crime fiction.

Publisher's Review

18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness. Rachel is gone, presumed dead.

The case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agree to a true crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for life to go back to normal. But then Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again …

‘Jackson is the queen of young adult novels’ Independent

‘A blisteringly good standalone thriller.’ The Observer on Five Survive, YA Books of the Year, 4/12/2022