Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Super twisty mystery filled with dark family secrets.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 26 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a thrilling read packed with unexpected plot twists and engaging characters, making it a favorite among many young readers, particularly those aged 13 and up. However, several reviews caution about the frequent use of strong language and some darker themes, suggesting it might not be suitable for younger audiences without parental guidance.
- captivating plot twists
- strong language
- recommended for teens
- engaging characters
- darker themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE REAPPEARANCE OF RACHEL PRICE shocks everyone in Gotham, New Hampshire. No one more than her husband, who'd been tried and acquitted of her murder, and her daughter, Bel, who'd grown up in the shadow of her disappearance. A film crew has just begun shooting a documentary about the disappearance when a woman claiming to be Rachel (and wearing the now tattered and stained clothes she was last seen in) suddenly appears in town. Bel is immediately suspicious of Rachel, but her mom wastes no time moving back into the family home and trying to bond with her daughter. Bel is having none of it, as she's found too many inconsistencies in Rachel's story. So, with help from Ash Maddox, the film's camera assistant, Bel sets out to find the truth about where her mother has been for the last 16 years. They investigate a report of Rachel shopping for clothes during the time she said she was being held captive and track down the person who'd sent the "Have you heard of the Rachel Price case?" tweet to the film's director. As the weeks go by and Rachel settles back into what had been her old life, even Bel's father wants Bel to stop investigating. Bel pays no attention and keeps looking, finally finding a clue that will unlock the mystery of her mother's disappearance. But the truth she discovers has terrible unexpected consequences for everyone in Bel's family.
Is It Any Good?
This is a mystery that unfolds at breakneck speed, filled to overflowing with clues, long hidden secrets, and a shocking never-saw-that coming ending. While The Reappearance of Rachel Price is built around solving a mystery, the storylines involving the personal challenges and struggles faced by the feisty and determined Bel (strained relationship with a parent, a beloved grandparent with a life-altering illness, and learning to trust again) are certain to be relatable to many readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Bel's determination and resolve in The Reappearance of Rachel Price showed them about the importance of perseverance in solving a mystery.
What would it be like to have news vans and reporters camped outside your house? Do you think the public's right to know outweighs a person's right to privacy?
Do you think justice was served in the novel's ending?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : April 2, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 448
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 20, 2025
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