This work provides a concise synthesis of the key insights and analysis of the book. It is an independent summary, not the original book, and has no affiliation with or endorsement from the original publication. Created for readers who want a clear, thought-provoking overview, it distills the central themes and ideas while preserving the depth and relevance of the work.
A young woman named Olivia is seen entering a narrow alley on CCTV one rainy night—but she never comes out. For Detective Julia Day, the case should be a straightforward investigation into another disappearance, yet it quickly becomes anything but ordinary. As Julia digs deeper into Olivia’s life, she uncovers layers of secrecy and deception that defy explanation. But then Julia herself is targeted: a shadowy figure threatens her daughter unless she frames an innocent man for Olivia’s disappearance. Caught between her duty as a detective and her instinct as a mother, Julia finds herself navigating an impossible choice. With every decision, the line between truth and lies blurs, and she realizes that every missing person carries with them not just absence, but a story of betrayal, coercion, and survival.