When the Stars Go Dark

A Novel

By: Paula McLain

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BUZZ PICK • “A total departure for the author of The Paris Wife, McLain’s emotionally intense and exceptionally well-written thriller entwines its fictional crime with real cases.”—People (Book of the Week)

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MARIE CLAIRE • “The kind of heart-pounding conclusion that thriller fans crave . . . In the end, a book full of darkness lands with a message of hope.”—The New York Times Book Review

“This mystery will keep you guessing, and stay with you long after you finish. Dive in.”—Daily Skimm

Anna Hart is a seasoned missing persons detective in San Francisco with far too much knowledge of the darkest side of human nature. When tragedy strikes her personal life, Anna, desperate and numb, flees to the Northern California village of Mendocino to grieve. She lived there as a child with her beloved foster parents, and now she believes it might be the only place left for her. Yet the day she arrives, she learns that a local teenage girl has gone missing.

The crime feels frighteningly reminiscent of the most crucial time in Anna’s childhood, when the unsolved murder of a young girl touched Mendocino and changed the community forever. As past and present collide, Anna realizes that she has been led to this moment. The most difficult lessons of her life have given her insight into how victims come into contact with violent predators. As Anna becomes obsessed with saving the missing girl, she must accept that true courage means getting out of her own way and learning to let others in.

Weaving together actual cases of missing persons, trauma theory, and a hint of the metaphysical, this propulsive and deeply affecting novel tells a story of fate, necessary redemption, and what it takes, when the worst happens, to reclaim our lives—and our faith in one another.

Loved this book!

Believable characters, set in my home turf. Enjoyable read. Well written story with lots of surprises.

Heavy but worthwhile

So, this was my introduction to Paula McLain. If you listen to this story AND the author's note at the end, you will appreciate the careful, painstaking journey of this book. It is fiction, but based on real life events, including some of the author's own early experiences. Knowing that will give you an appreciation for why some parts of this story seem to drag on or are described in such great detail. That said, it is a heavy story! I was born and raised in Northern CA and remember the Polly Klaas abduction and murder like it was yesterday. The protagonist is a couple of years older than me, so I am right there with her as she tells her tale. This book hits very close to home for me, as I can picture the towns and natural areas. As a mother and pet lover, this story hits even closer to home as I tried to put myself in the main character's shoes. For me, this story is EXTRA heavy because I can relate to so many aspects of this book!

I would agree with other reviews that the story is a bit long and drawn out in parts. I also agree that it is very dark and focuses on subject matter that is disturbing and frightening. Nevertheless, you will not regret listening to this book! The main character's vulnerability and strength are realistic and relatable. She's no super woman-super hero, but she's not a basket-case, either. Although I was glad to reach the end of the story, I do wonder what happens next to her? The story was beautifully written and I found myself completely engrossed in the storytelling. Kudos to the narrator for making each character come alive. I would recommend this one, but would point out that this is not a cozy, gentle tale for the faint of heart. Put on your boots and heavy coat and dive in!

Not terrible, but redundant and overly done with the narration.

The story tried hard and was interesting to a point but went on too long. I finally realized that what made it especially tiresome was the narrator overdoing it and making every line seem like it was life or death. Missing girls, a tormented protagonist is certainly dramatic but every single scene had the same inflection. I wouldn’t recommend this if melodrama and overacting aren’t your thing.

Great Read!!

I love the author’s tone and narrative style. The main character has so many facets that could belong to anyone one of us.

A Thrilling Psychological crime drama of Self Discovery

“And question make of these wide skies, when shall the star of my deliverance rise...”

“Prometheus Bound” Aeschylus 430 BCE