What Was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn: Funny Tragic Thriller Personifying a Shopping Mall

And odd thriller, this novel is split into two times frames, 19 years apart. The story begins with amateur 10 year old sleuth, Kate who sets up Falcon Investigations, assisted by her toy chimp, Mikey. Her recordings of events within a shopping mall, Green Oakes, would appear inconsequential, such as the questionable meats of Mr. Watkins’ butchers and a tramp looting for discarded food in the bins. Fuelled by loneliness and loss, Kate strikes up a friendship with 22 year old neighbour, Adrian.

Green Oaks Personified

An interesting side-plot of tearaway Teresa runs full circle when she becomes a policewoman due to filling Kate’s place in an entry exam to a private school. Years later, Teresa becomes key in solving the questions around Kate’s disappearance. But hidden horrors lurk behind net curtains: Teresa’s so-called abusive dad, for instance, and how she keeps his nasty side subdued for her own survival. Crime lurks in domestic life rather than on the streets.

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The second part of the book continues through the viewpoint of security guard, Kurt 19 years later after he spots what appears to be Kate through CCTV. Green Oaks lives through ghosts past and present, and through the voices of the people that pass through. It has hidden tunnels and is somewhat creepy. Humour is embedded within tragedy, such as dullard Ed, who strives to appear a moody and dark noir persona, but fails miserably, due to his middle classed background from Solihull. And Dave, his boss, who issues expletives in an affected way.

Ghostly Story of Past and Future

But this thriller is really about ghosts in it many forms, through the past, future through the thoughts that haunt the people that pass through the glass doors. Kurt’s past similarly haunts him, and this fuels his relationship with Lisa, both afflicted by loss.

O’Flynn makes us see enclosed spaces where people congregate as having a persona, living and breathing through its visitors. Green Oaks keeps secrets somewhere within its many passageways. The answers are in plain view, but are not made evident until new security guard, Gavin takes up assistant security guard alongside Kurt.

The final chapter is chilling and sad. Award winning novels are often overrated, but this one is an exception, being funny, chilling and sensitively written.