Holt, June 2008
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.
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.
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.
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.
Winner of the 2007 Costa First Novel Award, the book was also short-listed for The Guardian First Book Award and long-listed for the Booker Prize and the Orange Prize.
Winner of the 2007 Costa First Novel Award, the book was also short-listed for The Guardian First Book Award and long-listed for the Booker Prize and the Orange Prize.
