"When Things Go Missing is catnip for book club readers. Brasket is a gorgeous writer who explores complex family dynamics in a raw yet sympathetic way." Dianne Emley, Los Angeles Times bestselling author
What happens when the one person holding a family together mysteriously disappears? How well do we really know anyone, especially those we love the most?
One day Fran heads toward the grocery store and keeps going till she reaches the tip of South America, leaving an empty hole in the lives of her family: Kay, a cranky archaeology student who adores her mother but distrusts men in general, her father and brother in particular. Cal, a heroin addict living at home, left with a father he fears and no means of support; and Walter, a devoted husband but distant father, who tracks his wife's journey across the continent with pushpins on a map.
Adding to the mystery of the mother's disappearance are the "gifts" she sends her family: The elated messages she leaves on Kay's phone, but never when she's there to pick up. The strange photographs she sends Cal, who studies them like hieroglyphs he must decipher to save her and himself. The credit card bills she leaves Walter, allowing him to continue caring for her, until he undertakes his own journey northward. How they fill the missing pieces in their lives to make their family whole again creates the heart of this novel.
When Things Go Missing is a masterful exploration of loss, loyalty, and knotty, dysfunctional families, told through the viewpoints of Kay, Cal, and Walter. It reveals the subtle and dramatic ways addiction affects the bonds that hold a family together. This heartfelt meditation on family is wrapped up in a propulsive page-turner that you cannot help getting swept up in.
"Deborah Brasket exquisitely captures minute moments of human interaction and emotion. Amid the chaos is welcome humor and recognizable nuances of family life." Dana Isaacson, Career Authors
Review :
"If this novel were compared to an art form, it would be Kintsugi, the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, embracing imperfections as part of the piece's beauty. This philosophy of resilience mirrors the painstaking healing of Franny's flawed yet deeply relatable family in When Things Go Missing. Part mystery, part engrossing family drama, is a poignant reflection not just on what leaves a mark, but on what binds us back together." Nicky Flowers, Indies Today 5-Star Review
"A powerful novel about losing yourself in order to find a way home, When Things Go Missing is an achingly poignant exploration of femininity, responsibility, and liberation from societal expectations. Featuring sharp, emotional storytelling and painfully flawed characters traversing profound developmental arcs, this subtle but profound novel is a testament to choosing your own path, no matter how strange the road." SPR 5-Star Review
"When Things Go Missing is a must-read, a beautifully crafted story. As the reader learns about each compelling character, their voices and perspectives are distinct. Real and raw; engaging and endearing." Dr. Vicki Atkinson, Ed.D, LPC, author of Surviving Sue
"When Things Go Missing will stay with you long after you've read the final page. It is a beautiful unfolding - a tender, loving portrait of a family contending with grief, loss, and regret, while fully embracing all the joy that life can hold.' -Valorie Grace Hallinan, from Books Can Save A Life
