Maud lives in a constant state of befuddlement. Undrunk cups of tea litter her halls; she navigates her way through life with little scraps of paper; she forgets what she’s doing sometimes; and her daughter seems permanently exasperated with her. At 82 years old and suffering with the beginning stages of dementia, she only has three real constants - that she could probably do with another slice of toast, that she’d quite like to know the best place to plant marrows, and that her best friend, Elizabeth is missing. No matter how often her daughter tells her not to worry, Maud just can’t shake the feeling that something terrible has happened to her, and that if she could just keep all the facts together she’d be able to work it all out. Seeing as neither her family or the police are taking her seriously, Elizabeth attempts an investigation herself. While snooping around her friend’s house or on one of her many trips to the corner shop to buy peaches, she remembers life as a teenager and her sister Sukey’s own disappearance in the 1940’s. The family always suspected her sister’s husband, a wheeling-dealing drunkard with unsavoury connections; but there are several other mysterious characters such as a mad umbrella-wielding old lady with a habit of foraging in bushes, a serial killer that Maud wrote letters to, and a lodger who isn't who he seems to be. The book is narrated in a serious of stream-of-consciousness chapters, loaded with circular conversations, peculiar conclusions and slow flashbacks that shed some light on her past. While her current thoughts are muddled, littered with forgotten phrases and dead ends, she lights up when remembering her youth. These sections are detailed and thorough, and she seems almost at home there; instead of the present day with its pierced grandchildren, scolding daughters and empty gaps in time. It’s a brilliantly realised novel, written with a lot of care and attention to detail. It’s very sad at times, and the last half in particular is hard to get through - and I mean this in a good way. Maud’s general confusion, merged with musty memories and her slow descent into a blank oblivion can and will catch in your throat. Luckily, the novel is also infused with a steady stream of dark but warm humorous touches that manage to break through the dark clouds. Like another debut of 2014, Fiona McFarlane’s The Night Guest, this is a superb look at old age and memory in a unique framework, almost feeling like a strange blend of Memento, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and Iris.

For Maud the only way to remember things is to write them down. For Maud Elizabeth is the only friend she has left. It is very sad for Maud as all Maud's other friends are in homes or in graves. Maud knows the day is thursday and she usually visits her friend Elizabeth on a Thursday, but there is one small problem they don't seem to have made any arrangements and Elizabeth has not phoned Maud. If Elizabeth had of phoned Maud, she would have written it down what time Maud would be going to see her friend as Maud writes everything down. There are bits of paper all over the house that is called paper memory. Maud writes down her shopping list, telephone numbers and appointments. So if Elizabeth had phoned Maud she would have a note, but there is a note tucked into Maud's sleeve that says No word from Elizabeth. Now Maud has this horrible feeling that something has happened to her friend. Maud remembers that something was on the news about an old woman. Something unpleasant. And now Elizabeth has disappeared. This story of Elizabeth Is Missing holds some wonderful writing. I was totally blown away the original of its narration. The rollercoaster of Maud forgetting things and having to write them down I thought was rather emotional. Another brilliant novel published by penguin. Review by ireadnovels.wordpress.com

I read this within a couple of days which is testament to its unputdownability - admittedly helped by a train journey - but nonetheless a gripping read, cleverly written without an ounce of pretentiousness. I particularly enjoyed the lightness of touch portraying Katy, the teenager stuck in the middle of the mayhem, which was insightful and dexterously done. I look forward to Emma Healey's next novel.

Words like brilliant, moving, bittersweet and touching all describe this novel but do not do it justice. Both addictive and hard to read at the same time (especially if you have ever had to face a relative with dementia), it is a compelling story told with sympathy and compassion. A murder mystery but perhaps not the one you think it is. In a year packed full of brilliant books this was perhaps the book of the year 2015. Highly recommended.

One of the best books in ages.Switching between the present and the end of World War Two this is the story of Maud who is an eldely lady suffering from dementia. She knows she is forgetful so writes herself notes to remember.She does remember that her best friend Elizabeth is missing but does not know why or where . Setting out to solve this mystery the reader becomes privy to another mystery. Very clever,poignant yet funny. The character of Maud will stay with me Roz Radmore