The One I Left Behind

by Jennifer McMahon

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

"Put the lotion in the basket."

Why did I quote Silence of the Lambs? Because when found, each of Neptune's deformed women's right stub had been properly cleaned and clotted. Like Buffalo Bill he took "care" of his victims. While both conclusions ended similarly, the comparisons stop there.

The One I Left Behind is told in two parts, flashing from 1985 during the summer of Neptune and 2010, when Vera was found. I think it worked well the end of each flashback left the reader wanting for more. It reminded me of R.L. Stein's Goosebump series. Each chapter would have a cliffhanger ending, only to have cat walk through the door instead of a giant spider. Jennifer McMahon did not have a cat hiding behind the door but rather a tangled spider's web

Due to the flashbacks and Reggie's unwillingness to return home, we had a bit of a Lifetime movie reunion. Cutesy but not pukingly so and brings up open wounds (which is usually a sub-plot of a Lifetime movie). Anyway, this was anything but. The Neptune tragedy not only struck the town, Brightfalls, Connecticut, (which reminded me of It's a Wonderful Life 's Bedford Falls, from the name down to the Bailey's dilapidated house) but breaking of the Three Musketeer's Reggie and her two friends Tara and Charlie, a friendship ending with tragedy on the fourth night of Vera's disappearance which can never be undone. This scenario kept me as riveted as the Neptune killings because as Dr, Phil would say, it is a life defining moment.

Overall, it was a good book, The One I Left Behind held my interest but was not a book that I couldn't wait to go to bed at night and read. Although, I think it would be the perfect summer read for a mystery lover.