When Mimi Went Missing is a story about secrets and the past. It’s a mystery that constantly keeps you on your toes. While I wish certain elements had a bit more depth, I could not stop reading! Keep reading this book review of When Mimi Went Missing for my full thoughts.
Summary
Shy, nerdy Tanvi has always thought of her perfect cousin Mimi as her sister. Not only did Mimi’s family raise Tanvi after the tragic death of her parents, fierce Mimi has always protected Tanvi at school. At least until Mimi fell under the spell of their flawless, rich classmate, Beth . . . Tanvi’s biggest bully.
Fearing another terrible year, Tanvi decides to take a desperate, preemptive strike—and captures an incriminating photo of Mimi and Beth at a party. When Tanvi wakes up the next day with a bump on her head, scratches on her leg, and no memory of what caused her injuries, Mimi is gone.
When the investigation for the missing girl takes a dark turn, Tanvi begins to fill the gaps in her memory, hoping to bring her cousin home alive. She questions Mimi’s friends and enemies—including Mimi’s shady boyfriend, who refuses to answer her questions, and Beth, who catalyzed the split between the once-close cousins. Meanwhile, the cops announce that they are now hunting a murderer—are they hunting Tanvi?
To preserve her family and find the truth, Tanvi must revisit the worst night of her life and the darkest parts of her past to discover if she’s capable of murder—and the truth of what happened to Mimi.
Review
When Mimi Went Missing is perfect for those who love stories about family secrets. About two people who used to know each other so well, would protect against the world, who end up on opposite sides. It’s about the betrayal of someone who used to be our best friend. What happens to a relationship, to a person, when it becomes irretrievable? Or does it only seem that way? Sukumar plays with the unreliability, with not knowing what happened, and it creates a constant tension. What are the motivations of those around her?
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While I wish there had been just a bit more time devoted to the relationship between Tanvi and Mimi, I couldn’t stop reading. It’s easy to get caught up in this line between love and hate. We wonder why she can’t remember and if there’s a piece of her inherited from her mother. Can something like that happen without leaving a scar? I found this element particularly intriguing as Tanvi herself wonders if there’s a piece of her mother within her. As everyone finds themselves wondering.
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