From a distance, Claudia Castro has it all: a famous family, a trust fund, thousands of Instagram followers, and a spot in NYU’s freshman class. But look closer, and things are messier: her parents are separating, she’s just been humiliated by a sleazy documentary, and her sister is about to have a baby with a man she barely knows.
Claudia starts the school year resolved to find a path toward something positive, maybe even meaningful — and then one drunken night everything changes. Reeling, her memory hazy, Claudia cuts herself off from her family, seeking solace in a new friendship. But when the rest of school comes back from spring break, Claudia is missing.
Suddenly, the whole city is trying to piece together the hours of that terrible night.
From the critically acclaimed author of Invisible City and Conviction, The Missing Hours is a searing novel about obsession, privilege, and the consequences of one violent act.
Praise for The Missing Hours
A great reckoning with the moment we find ourselves in.
— New York Times
A provocative and timely standalone novel about revenge, sexual assault and manipulation.
— South Florida Sun-Sentinel
A dark, gripping study of vengeance and of what it means to live in a woman’s body.
— The Guardian
This contemporary morality tale perfectly evokes the dangers of modern life…A stunning essay for our #MeToo generation, it is both shocking and gripping.
— Daily Mail
Propulsive storytelling at its best.
— Lou Berney
With depth and precision, Dahl turns her lens on the simple crime of being inside a woman’s body.
— Ivy Pochoda
Satisfying and thought-provoking
— Crimereads
Dahl makes a dramatic break from her acclaimed Rebekah Roberts series and takes on the conflicted lives of the arrogantly wealthy and the perils of social media. She is known for her fast-paced writing, but this one moves at breakneck speed and stays with you long after the last page.
— Booklist
Dahl gives readers a lot to think about in this riveting, traumatic story of one woman’s journey beyond assault, shame and self-blame to reclaim her life…The Missing Hours will appeal to fans of suspense and those who enjoy a dark, angsty story of obsession and revenge with a few surprises along the way. Clear your calendar as you’ll want to read this book in one sitting.
— Mystery & Suspense Magazine
Turning her insightful gaze to some of society’s most hot-button topics – privilege, consent, and sexual violence – Dahl creates an unforgettable tapestry of words and actions.
— BOLO BOOKS
Provocative…Credit [Dahl] with ambitiously tackling a broad canvas.
— Publisher’s Weekly
Timely, taut, and gripping—an absolute must-read.
— Laura McHugh
Fast-paced and fierce.
— Elizabeth Little
A swift, heart-pounding novel about money and power and violation . . . I burned through it in two days.
— Steph Cha
Utterly arresting.
— Rob Hart
A timely, explosive novel that feels all-too-real, and echoes greats like Megan Abbott and Alison Gaylin.
— Alex Segura
A wickedly intense thriller.
— Jennifer Hillier
Vivid and compelling insight.
— Wendy Walker
A riveting tale of abuse and revenge that explores the dark underside of New York’s privileged class.
— Alison Gaylin
THE MISSING HOURS deals with some profoundly serious matters in a realistic way, which is one of Julia Dahl’s many strengths…takes us us up and down the emotional ladder with a stop at each rung.
— Book Reporter