Reconstructing Amelia: A Novel

Kimberly McCreight

Apr 2013 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

New York Times Bestseller

“Like Gone Girl, Reconstructing Amelia seamlessly marries a crime story with a relationship drama. And like Gone Girl, it should be hailed as one of the best books of the year.”  — Entertainment Weekly

The stunning debut novel from Kimberly McCreight in which a single mother reconstructs her teenaged daughter Amelia’s tragic death, sifting through her emails, texts, and social media to piece together the shocking truth about the last days of her life.

Kate's in the middle of the biggest meeting of her career when she gets the telephone call from Grace Hall, her daughter’s exclusive private school in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Amelia has been suspended, effective immediately, and Kate must come get her daughter—now. But Kate’s stress over leaving work quickly turns to panic when she arrives at the school and finds it surrounded by police officers, fire trucks, and an ambulance. By then it’s already too late for Amelia. And for Kate.

An academic overachiever despondent over getting caught cheating has jumped to her death. At least that’s the story Grace Hall tells Kate. And clouded as she is by her guilt and grief, it is the one she forces herself to believe. Until she gets an anonymous text: She didn’t jump.

Reconstructing Amelia is about secret first loves, old friendships, and an all-girls club steeped in tradition. But, most of all, it’s the story of how far a mother will go to vindicate the memory of a daughter whose life she couldn’t save.

Ratings and reviews

This book masterfully explores issues of bullying and sexual identity, while weaving the reader through a page- turning mystery! The novel centers around a high schooler's death and a mother's frantic search for answers (no spoilers). It wasn't an edge of your seat psychological thriller, but I still couldn't wait to find out what happened! At times I couldn't help but think "Gossip Girl: An After School Special Presentation". Which I mean in a GOOD way because thematically this novel should also be tagged under YA Fiction. Highly recommend for fans of mystery, and contemporary fiction alike.

Really liked the book. It goes to show how little parents know about their kids. The book kept me hooked to read one more chapter every time I wanted to put it down. Good story, realistic and gripping. Will recommend.

Loved the format of the novel - points of view from more than one individual, texts, FB posts.. etc. Also liked that it was unpredictable (which is a rarity for me).

About the author

Kimberly McCreight is the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia, which was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Alex Awards; Where They Found Her; and The Outliers young adult trilogy. She attended Vassar College and graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.