April Henry’s The Night She Disappeared draws readers into a suspenseful mystery with well-developed characters and a gripping plot. The pace keeps readers engaged, though some feel the conclusion is somewhat predictable. It is a compelling read for young adults who enjoy thrillers, despite occasional narrative shortcomings.

Ideal for fans of suspenseful young adult thrillers like Karen M. McManus’s One of Us Is Lying and Natasha Preston’s The Cellar, The Night She Disappeared by April Henry captivates readers who enjoy heart-pounding mysteries, unexpected twists, and strong, resourceful teenage protagonists.

In The Night She Disappeared by April Henry, high-school senior Kayla Cutler is kidnapped while making a pizza delivery, and her coworker Gabie Klug realizes she was the intended target. As Gabie races to uncover the truth and find Kayla, the story explores themes of class-based prejudice, the fallibility of authority figures, and the experiences of teenage girls navigating a world where they are often viewed as powerless. The narrative shifts perspectives and includes stylized inserts like newspaper clippings and evidence reports. The source material discusses substance use and addiction, mental health, and death by suicide.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Unnerving

**Gabriella “Gabie” Klug**  
Gabie is a shy, independent high school student whose parents work as trauma surgeons, leaving her to her own devices. Her character undergoes significant growth as she faces challenges related to her friend's disappearance.

**Andrew “Drew” Lyle**  
Drew is Gabie and Kayla's classmate who works at Pete’s Pizza to support his family while dealing with his mother's addiction. He becomes closely involved in the search for Kayla through his friendship with Gabie.

**Kayla Cutler**  
Kayla is Gabie and Drew's popular and athletic classmate whose disappearance serves as a central catalyst for the story. Her character is resilient, and she works to survive while captured.

**“John Robertson”/Ronald Hewett**  
Ronald Hewett, known publicly as John Robertson, is a seemingly mild-mannered model builder who harbors a dark secret as a sociopathic murderer. He is the novel’s main antagonist.

**Sergeant Thayer**  
Sergeant Thayer is the police officer in charge of the investigation into Kayla's disappearance. His actions and the police department's handling of the case are shaped by his biases.

**Cody Renfrew**  
Cody is a young man who becomes the prime suspect in Kayla's disappearance due to his troubled past and a series of circumstantial evidence. His character illustrates issues with prejudice and the consequences of false accusations.

April Henry

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Night She Disappeared reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Night She Disappeared | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Night She Disappeared and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Night She Disappeared Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Night She Disappeared Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-8

The Night She Disappeared Chapters 1-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-16

The Night She Disappeared Chapters 9-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 17-24

The Night She Disappeared Chapters 17-24 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 25-32

The Night She Disappeared Chapters 25-32 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 33-40

The Night She Disappeared Chapters 33-40 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 41-45

The Night She Disappeared Chapters 41-45 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Night She Disappeared Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Night She Disappeared Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Night She Disappeared Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Night She Disappeared Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Night She Disappeared Essay Topics

The Night She Disappeared

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Night She Disappeared?

Reading Age

Book Details