Dora Condron wakes up one morning to discover that her 17 year old daughter, Ellie, didn't return home the night before. Initially no-one is overly concerned, it's simply what teenagers do, but Dora knows her daughter well. Ellie wouldn't stay out all night, she isn't that type of girl. As hours turn into days Dora has to question what she truly knows about her daughter and some of her other relationships.
I cannot begin to imagine how a mother must feel if a child goes missing. Brian McGilloway has done an amazing job of empathising with someone in this situation, the whole gamut of emotions are explored.
When Ellie goes missing you are caught up in Dora's sense of helplessness. She doesn't know what to do or who to ask for help. When she finally contacts the police you feel the frustration as no-one seems to take the situation seriously.
When the police finally investigate Ellie's disappearance a number of secrets come to light. Dora feels betrayed by the people around her and wracked with guilt that she may be responsible for her daughters disappearance. Public appeals by the police via TV and social media make Dora feel that "the wreckage of my life is displayed for public consumption". We've all done it, looked on (and thanked the heavens that it's not happening to us or our families) but I'll certainly have a different perspective on these types of things in the future thanks to this novel.
As the investigation continues you are filled with shock and sadness. Frustrated with the lack of progress the police are making Dora decides to take matters into her own hands and you can feel the adrenaline flowing as she turns from "Dora the dormouse" into a warrior. Your heart is racing, willing her on but terrified that she may be tangling with extremely dangerous people or be about to cross a moral line.
The Empty Room by Brian McGilloway will be published on 31st of March 2022 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown UK for a review copy.
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