Finn in particular was a character with no character. There were moments of decent tension in the plot, but mostly I didn’t care what happened to these tedious, selfish people. Their fragile relationship falls apart as they continue to pursue the truth about Layla. Ellen seems to be harboring her own secrets. Deceit and poor judgment follow in abundance. Layla wants Finn back and the feeling is mutual. This is a cat and mouse game designed to drive a wedge between Finn and Ellen.

The dolls have a special meaning from Layla and Ellen’s childhood and so Ellen and Finn take it as a sign that Layla really is back. Additionally, little Russian dolls start to show up. For example, Ellen thinks she saw Layla in a nearby town. When the wedding is announced in the paper, things start happening that lead Finn and Ellen to believe Layla is still alive and has resurfaced. Twelve years later, he seems to be finally getting on with his life, which includes plans to marry Ellen,… Layla’s sister. Although they had only been together for about a year, Finn loved her in a weirdly obsessive way. Finn spends the next several years searching for Layla and mourning her loss. At least, that’s the story Finn told the police. Finn pulls over at a rest stop to use the facilities and when he gets back to the car Layla has vanished. Twelve years ago, Finn and Layla are on a road trip. I just couldn’t buy what the author is selling with this one. Despite some moments of decent suspense, the ending reveals a premise that makes little sense. Bring Me Back is a suspense novel that just doesn’t quite work.

Bring me back a novel