Missing Pieces [Mass Market Paperback]

Joy Fielding (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 1998

How far will a mother go to protect her family from a madman?

An unrivaled master of psychological suspense, Joy Fielding has written her most chilling and intricate novel yet--a compulsively readable look at the razor-thin line between daily domesticity and nerve-shattering terror.

It had to end in blood.  Family therapist Kate Sinclair, healer of lost souls, perfect wife and mother, has suddenly become trapped in a nightmare of her own.  Her teenage daughter has just discovered sex, lies, and rebellion.  Her ex-boyfriend has returned to threaten her marriage.  Her once-peaceful hometown is being awakened by chilling headlines: Another woman is missing.  Kate can sense the darkness gathering around her, can see the mistakes, the missteps, the missing pieces.  She is afraid of what tomorrow will bring.

Enter Colin Friendly, a man on trial for abducting and killing thirteen women--the handsome, "misunderstood" sociopath Kate's troubled sister plans to marry.  Colin loves women to death.  He can't wait to see Kate and the girls again.  One dark night when they are home alone, disarmed, ready for bed...

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA?Fielding's novelistic version of "Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives" is almost a send-up of topics heard on advice shows. The heroine, a professional family counselor, has the hots for her old high school flame even though she is happily married to a wonderful, caring guy. She refuses to see that her mother is becoming senile and her teenage daughter is rebelling; in addition, her airhead sister marries an imprisoned serial killer to whom she becomes attracted while attending his trial. Once the tabloids move on from this sensational story, Sis helps her killer husband escape from prison only to become his ultimate victim. The desire to wring all of the characters' silly necks is strong, but the author does it first, while at the same time pointing out their motivations for being so foolish. Despite possible disgust with these women's behavior, readers will find that Fielding's writing keeps them turning the pages, and good sense prevails in the end.?Judy McAloon, Potomac Library, Prince William County, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Kate Sinclair has problems: her sister is marrying a man accused of serial murder, she can't handle her rebellious daughter or addled mother, and a slick talker on whom she had a crush in high school has just reappeared. It's enough to send Kate to the therapist's couch?if she weren't already a therapist. Expect hard-hitting promotion for this new novel from the author of See Jane Run (LJ 3/15/91).
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Island Books (July 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440222877
• ISBN-13: 978-0440222873
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joy Fielding is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Still Life, Charley's Web, Heartstopper, See Jane Run, and other acclaimed novels. She divides her time between Toronto and Palm Beach, Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced contemporary fun-reading, a real pleasure, September 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Missing Pieces (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is a nice break from more serious heavy reading. Any woman over 30 who has ever had a child, husband, mother or sister must read this. Humerous yet with a fast paced plot. I read it in a 24 hour period. The characters are fun and believable and lovable. This was my first Joy Fielding book and I will certainly seek out others.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars What ARE the "missing pieces?", January 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Missing Pieces (Mass Market Paperback)

The story itself wasn't as interesting as its title was. It is mainly about a family therapist, Kate Sinclair, who struggles with her defiant teenage daughter, her stepsister who falls in love with a man who killed thirteen women, and her former high school sweetheart who still attracts her very much. The story is written from Kate's point of view. It has unnecessary repetitions that don't have anything to do with the main theme, which is finding the missing pieces. For example, Kate and her sister goes to the criminal's trial every time. But nothing happens. It is only written about how Kate Sinclair feels about everything from her point of view. For example, there is a part when Kate complains about how she cannot have a normal sister like everyone else. Also, I didn't understand the ending because the author clearly didn't state what the missing pieces were. It was boring because there weren't any exciting parts where you didn't want to put the book down. Every chapter seemed the same to me except for the parts when some killings occured.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Once again, Joy Fielding did not disappoint, June 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Missing Pieces (Mass Market Paperback)

Having read several of Fielding's previous books, I was anticipating a thoughtful and mesmerizing novel - I was not disappointed! I found "Missing Pieces" hard to put down and entertaining throughout. I liked her style of closely examining Kate and her family members while keeping up the suspense. Perhaps I could relate to this novel because I am similarly situated to Kate, with a teenage daughter. Although I thought she made some poor choices in overlooking or ignoring her family members' behavior, I found this totally believable. It is hard to see what you don't want to be present in family members.