What was Lost

Holt, June 2008-Book Review

Catherine O’Flynn’s What Was Lost is a compelling and multifaceted novel. Following the central mystery of a girl’s disappearance, it invokes the spirit of Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, and Prime Suspect all in one -– an intrepid young investigator, a "cozy" mystery feel, and a Jane Tennison-worthy case in a contemporary setting.
What Was Lost begins in the 1980s with ten-year-old aspiring detective Kate Meaney conducting surveillance in the local mall, Green Oaks. Kate’s story is both touching and smile-inducing. Growing up largely on her own, not fitting in with most kids her age, she takes her investigative work quite seriously. In one scene, she lunches at her usual mall eatery, ordering the Children’s Special:
"... And can I not have any cucumber on the beefburger, please?"
"It’s not cucumber, it’s gherkin, love."
Kate made a note of this in her pad: Gherkins/cucumbers – not same thing: research difference. She’d hate to blow her cover on a stateside mission with a stupid error like that.
The 1980s sections are told through Kate’s point of view: about her detective agency, her family, her dilemmas at school, and her friendship with Adrian, a neighboring shopkeeper’s 22-year-old son. When Kate suddenly disappears, Adrian becomes the main suspect and is driven into hiding.
Twenty years later, the story shifts to Adrian’s sister, Lisa, and a security guard named Kurt, who meet while working at Green Oaks. Lisa, the bored assistant manager of a music store, is still unsettled and saddened by her brother’s disappearance; she hears from him once a year around her birthday. Kurt, also tired of his job, notices a little girl appearing on the mall’s surveillance cameras at night. A chance encounter between Lisa and Kurt sends them on a quest to find out who the girl is and if she is connected to the long-vanished Kate.
The characters in What Was Lost have well-developed storylines that connect in intriguing ways. The book contrasts its different "detectives" –- Kate, the police, Lisa and Kurt. And the most prominent character is perhaps the mall, Green Oaks, breathing shoppers in and out, watching their actions, surrounding them with "processed air" and Muzak. Other characters interact with Green Oaks: Kate stakes out the mall daily; Lisa and Kurt work there; the mystery girl appears there. It knows their secrets and plays a significant role in each of their lives. Readers will recognize this place; it could be any mall, anywhere. O’Flynn also creates an apt vision of the mall at night, creepy and empty, reminding us why malls make such great settings for zombie movies. (But no zombies in this book, I promise.)
The book’s title resonates on many levels. What is lost, as well as what is found or gained, ranges from the literal to the figurative and the small to the immeasurable. Whether it’s a toy monkey or a sense of self, the lost and found are driving forces for O’Flynn’s characters.
What Was Lost is the kind of book that draws you in gradually. At first, it seems a cute story. Never losing its charm and subtle humor -– with a few fun, nostalgic jabs at ’80s culture -– the book’s depth soon becomes clear, and it skillfully keeps you guessing at the truth until its satisfying conclusion.
-Holt

I agree with Holt's opinion on the book. the story at first to me seemed kind of boring because it just seemed like a bunch of normal scenarios. As the story went on though, it got more in depth and really got me more involved. I enjoy mysteries because even if it isn't obvious, all of the characters fit together like a puzzle. In this book, from the start of Kates disappearance to 20 years later, everyone had something in common. Kate has a friend named Adrian who has a sister named Lisa. The mystery began when Kate disappeared one night and Adrian was forced to go into hiding since he was a suspect in her disappearance. All of this leads to 20 years later when his sister Lisa, notices something when at the mall with a police officer. This was the same mall Kate had been at and when looking at footage, they saw a girl who had also disappeared. This made them wonder how these two girls were connected. The rest of the story deals with putting the pieces together and solving this unsolved case. As Holt had mentioned, the mall is a great setting for disappearances. We always hear someone getting lost or something going on around there. It is a crowded place so know one would really notice if you were taken or not. The green Oaks mall though had some significance. All of these problems started and lead back to the mall. You can say it was where all was lost. Holt feels that this book wasn't about being lost physically but it was also about finding yourself. I agree with that one-hundred percent. Looking at what these characters go through aren't every day issues. It takes a lot of guts, mind and dedication to be going through all of this trouble. Everyone in the book found who they were meant to be. They were given the strength and confidence to face who they are which is what anyone would ever wish for.