The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
Published by Scribner on July 5, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Family Life / Siblings, Fiction / Thrillers / Domestic, Fiction / Women
Pages: 320
Source: Amazon
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An instant New York Times bestseller from the author of The Last Thing He Told Me

“Dave’s signature blend of twisty mystery, family drama, and moving love story is top-notch” (The Boston Globe) in this instant New York Times bestseller where estranged siblings chase a fifty-year-old family secret that shaped their father’s mysterious life—and death…

“Pulse pounding suspense and moving family drama” —People

“A master storyteller. You won’t want to miss this one.” —Harlan Coben

“The perfect mix of heart-pounding and heartfelt…Dave delivers yet another suspenseful page-turner that should be a book club staple for a long time to come.” —New York Post

Nora Noone’s father was many things to many people. To the public he was a self-made titan of industry, whose luxury boutique hotels were among the most coveted destinations in the world. To his three ex-wives, he was a loving yet distant family man who managed to keep his finances—and his families—separate. But, to Nora, he was always a mystery—especially after his suspicious death at his cliffside home.

Though the authorities insist there was no foul play, Nora and her estranged brother, Sam, believe otherwise. As they form an uneasy alliance to unpack the mystery, they start putting together the pieces of their father’s past and uncover a family secret that changes everything.

With Laura Dave’s “signature blend of pulse-pounding suspense” (People) and “trademark emotional heft” (New York Post), The Night We Lost Him is a “propulsive” (Oprah Daily) must-read, with a heartbreaking final twist you’ll never see coming.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Contemporary Fiction | Suspense | Family Drama

Author: Laura Dave

Format: Kindle Edition

Release Date: [Insert release date if available]

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Laura Dave, bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, returns with another gripping emotional journey in The Night We Lost Him. When a sudden tragedy fractures a close-knit family, buried secrets rise to the surface, and one woman must untangle the truth from the story she’s been told all her life.

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THE STORY

The novel opens in the aftermath of a devastating loss—the night a beloved husband and father vanishes. What begins as a mysterious disappearance slowly unfolds into a tale about the fragility of trust and the resilience required to move forward.

Told with Dave’s signature blend of suspense and emotional nuance, the story centers on a woman forced to revisit the events leading up to her partner’s disappearance. As she pieces together his last moments, she must also confront the unraveling of the narrative she believed was her life.

The pacing is slow-burning yet compelling, drawing the reader through layers of emotional tension, broken relationships, and the echoes of grief. Dave masterfully navigates the intersection of love, betrayal, and human vulnerability.

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THE CHARACTERS

Each character in this novel feels raw and real, particularly the protagonist whose emotional arc forms the beating heart of the story. Her pain, confusion, and determination are portrayed with such depth that readers will likely find themselves empathizing with her every step.

Secondary characters, including the missing man’s family and friends, are equally complex—offering contrasting perspectives that make the mystery all the more intriguing. Their flawed humanity adds richness to a narrative that leans as much into introspection as it does suspense.

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STEAMOMETER

🔥 Low — This is not a romance-focused novel, and while there are emotional and relationship dynamics at play, the story steers clear of explicit content.

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OVERALL THOUGHTS

Laura Dave once again delivers a beautifully written, emotionally intelligent novel that explores the messiness of relationships and the weight of secrets. While the story occasionally dips into ambiguity and may feel unresolved for some readers, its strength lies in its emotional authenticity and powerful reflections on grief, forgiveness, and identity.

If you’re a fan of slow-burn family drama, emotionally complex characters, and suspense that simmers beneath the surface, The Night We Lost Him is well worth the read.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Dave is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, Eight Hundred Grapes, and other contemporary fiction works that explore love, identity, and the complexity of family. Her novels have been translated into over thirty languages and continue to resonate with readers around the world.