The Night She Disappeared

How does Henry construct an effective crime thriller through a YA lens? What distinguishes this novel from a thriller targeted at adult audiences?

One of the novel’s themes is the danger of unchecked biases, particularly socioeconomic biases. Is this theme satisfactorily explored? What other kinds of biases can influence a criminal investigation?

Choose three chapters inserts and explore how each one affects the narrative.

Henry mentions in passing that Kayla comes from a well-off family. Research contemporary criticism of how socioeconomic class affects investigation and coverage of disappearances. How might the handling of her case have been different if she came from a household like Drew’s?

Why might Henry have left her antagonist’s motives obscure? Does the reasoning behind Hewett’s crime matter?

At several points in the novel, the reader is privy to knowledge that not all characters have. How does this affect the reading experience?

Several of Henry’s works include chapters narrated from the perspective of her antagonists. How do the chapters written from the perspective of Hewett change the story?

Does this novel subvert or reinforce stereotypes about working-class people? Consider Henry’s portrayals of Drew’s mother and Cody Renfrew.