Missing Clarissa by Ripley Jones

Rating: ★★★★☆

Dates Read: 2/21/23-2/21/23

    Back in August of 1999, the whole town of Oreville, Washington was shaken when Clarissa Campbell, the beloved and incredibly popular cheerleader, vanished without a trace during a party in the nearby woods. Despite extensive efforts, her disappearance remains an unsolved mystery to this day, leaving the community forever haunted by the unanswered questions surrounding her fate.

    Fast forward over two decades, and we find ourselves in the present day. Blair and Cameron, inseparable best friends who attend Oreville High School, embark on an ambitious project: a true crime podcast that aims to delve deep into the enigmatic urban legend surrounding Clarissa Campbell's disappearance. Their determination leads them down a rabbit hole of dark secrets, exposing the hidden underbelly of this small town. As they peel back the layers of the past, Blair and Cameron uncover the shocking truth about Clarissa's tumultuous relationship with her charming boyfriend. More disturbingly, they stumble upon a small-town art teacher who not only holds a prominent position but also had a compelling motive for wanting Clarissa dead. The duo realize that this teacher might just become the captivating centerpiece of their next podcast episode, given the depth of his involvement and the secrets he harbors.

    With each revelation, Blair and Cameron find themselves on a treacherous path, unearthing the twisted history of their community and putting themselves at risk in pursuit of the truth. The lines between justice, vengeance, and their own safety blur as they navigate the dangerous terrain of Oreville's secrets, all while aiming to bring closure to a decades-old mystery.

    The characters in this book have an incredible ability to captivate you and stir your emotions. It was such a delightful, quick, and effortless read. I breezed through it within a few hours, completely engrossed in every aspect of the story. I was so deeply invested that I never paused to try and predict the ending before reaching it.

    I definitely plan on reading more books by this author in the future, and I want to extend a big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.